British tourists stranded in Cyprus after TUI Airways flight delay leaves families waiting some 24 hours

Dozens of British holidaymakers, including families with young children, have been stranded for nearly 24 hours at Larnaca Airport in Cyprus after their TUI Airways flight BY2575 to Manchester (Boeing 787-8 reg. G-TUIC) was delayed multiple times.

The flight was scheduled to depart at 00:15 on Saturday morning. Due to a late arrival of the incoming flight, passengers boarded the plane at 03:00 but were kept on board for over two hours due to a broken baggage loader. By 05:00, they were told the crew had exceeded their legal working hours and had to rest. While a pilot initially announced that hotels and coaches would be provided, many passengers claim they were left in the airport without clear instructions.

Families reported children sleeping on the airport’s cold marble floors, with only paper bags for cushioning. Limited food vouchers were issued, but passengers said they barely covered basic meals. Some travellers accepted hotel rooms offered later, others arranged their own accommodation, while many remained stuck at the airport.

The flight was eventually rescheduled for early Sunday morning (August 24). Passengers described the handling of the situation as a “complete shambles,” saying they felt “abandoned” by TUI.