‘Treated like cattle’: Worksop councillor slams Ryanair after family’s Spain flight grounded

A Bassetlaw councillor has hit out at Ryanair, claiming he and other passengers were ‘treated like cattle’ when their flight was grounded amid coronavirus fears.
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Cllr Clayton Tindle, who represents the Worksop South East ward, had boarded the 2.20pm flight to Fuerteventura from East Midlands Airport on Saturday with his wife and two children when all passengers were told the plane would not be leaving for up to four hours after news broke of an impending lockdown in Spain.

“Everyone was anxious, reading everything in the news with what’s happening in Spain,” said Cllr Tindle.

“None of the staff were explaining anything. People were starting to get agitated.”

The hotel Cllr Clayton was due to stay in with his family is now on lockdown.The hotel Cllr Clayton was due to stay in with his family is now on lockdown.
The hotel Cllr Clayton was due to stay in with his family is now on lockdown.

When Cllr Tindle approached a member of staff to ask for clarity, they told him there was no information to share.

He told The Star: “I said ‘This is ridiculous, you should be explaining what options there are. It’s absolutely disgusting’.

“She said she genuinely felt for us all.”

The Covid-19 pandemic caused Jet2 planes heading to Spain to turn back in mid-air on Saturday as Spain announced emergency measures to contain the illness, including closing off beaches, bars and restaurants.

A picture shows a half-empty plane after passengers were given an ultimatum.A picture shows a half-empty plane after passengers were given an ultimatum.
A picture shows a half-empty plane after passengers were given an ultimatum.

Before Cllr Tindle’s plane eventually left, he and other passengers were given an ultimatum: leave the plane or continue to travel in the knowledge they may have to self-isolate abroad.

“I’m not risking my family to go through that process of having a s*** holiday and ruining their experience,” he said.

“We have had nothing from Ryanair. They were taking no responsibility to the customers and what our options were.

Cllr Tindle had spent £1300 on the trip. Pictures sent to him by those who decided to travel show a deserted resort amid the lockdown.

“I would prefer to have been on the flight that turned back mid-air. It wasn’t nice to see, especially when you have kids. My lad ended up getting off the plane roaring and my daughter is only three and she said ‘I didn’t get the chance to play on the beach’.

“That was heart-breaking.”

Cllr Tindle has yet to contact Ryanair regarding a refund and said the company has not been in touch with him. The Star has approached the airline for comment.