Tui flight delayed for 8 hours after ‘disgusting’ cockroaches found on board

Holidaymakers were left frustrated and shocked when they learned the true reason for the delay.

Michelle Coates, a 57-year-old foster parent, expressed her disbelief, saying: "I was gobsmacked. How did the cockroaches get on there? That is a worry for their hygiene. It is just disgusting to try and fob it off on the customers."

The incident has sparked outrage among affected travellers, demanding compensation for their severely delayed flights.

Michelle Coates and her husband David were among those affected by the delay, forced to shell out extra money on new swimming costumes to suit the hot weather and £150 on extra childcare arrangements.

Donna Maria, 43, and her daughter Sascha, 18, faced similar issues on their return flight, causing them to miss their last train home, which left them stranded at Gatwick airport late at night.

Maria said: "To leave two young ladies stranded like that at an airport with no transport home. It was out of order."

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Both families, along with other passengers, have been denied compensation by TUI, which cited "extraordinary circumstances" as the reason for refusing reimbursement.

Frustrated by the situation, Maria vowed never to fly with TUI again, saying: "Just wish it could be all over and we get the compensation we are entitled to."

TUI's refusal to compensate customers accordingly has prompted a group of passengers from both delayed flights to consider legal action against the travel firm.

Michelle Coates expressed her frustration, saying: "TUI say it is not their fault. Well, it is their fault. If I invite someone round to dinner at my house and there's a cockroach that's my fault."

Passengers were instructed to wait 72 hours before submitting compensation claims. However, many reported difficulties in receiving responses or progressing their claims through TUI's online support.

On October 17, TUI officially rejected compensation requests, saying: "Having considered the events surrounding the delay to your flight, we can confirm that no further compensation will be arranged."

A TUI UK & I spokesman responded to the incident, saying: "We'd like to apologise to passengers on TOM4744 who were delayed on their journey. Our goal is to ensure our customers have the best possible start to their holiday, and we recognise that this wasn't the case."

"Customers were provided with funds to purchase a drink or snack at the airport during the delay, and we'd like to thank them for their patience during this time."