Laurence Dollimore
THIS is the moment a passenger plane struggled to land at a Portuguese airport due to severe winds.
The footage was taken on the island of Madeira, where hundreds of Spanish tourists have been trapped for days following more than 60 flight cancellations.
Some holidaymakers have been stuck inside the travel hub since August 15.
One traveller, named only as Mikel, told RNE: “People here are very upset. There are dozens of us sleeping on the floor, because they are not providing anything at all.
“Ryanair is not providing water, food or accommodation. They are not offering alternative flights for a week.”
Cordoba native Carlos Perez, 56, his wife Irene, 55, and their two children, Julio and Sara, 23 and 18 respectively, have been stranded in Madeira since last Thursday.
It came after their return flight to Lisbon with Ryanair was cancelled at the end of their two week holiday.
The family have ended up moving into an apartment at a cost of €400 per night while waiting for a replacement flight.
Consumer rights group FACUA told RNE that airlines are obligated to reimburse the costs under EU law.
A spokesperson said: “If the airline does not manage all the costs of transfer, accommodation or food, the user can pay for it themselves, keeping the receipts and invoices and then claim them from the airlines.
“It is a right recognised by the European regulation that regulates the rights of passengers.”
Reports by Spanish press today said services were beginning to return to normal on Tuesday afternoon.
