'There's hundreds of passengers in freezing conditions with just the clothes they travelled in'

FURY AS LUGGAGE FLOWN HOME FROM ICELAND

- PAUL BRITTON

AN EASYJET flight to Iceland flew back to Manchester Airport after landing with the luggage of all its passengers still onboard.

Furious holidaymakers have told how, as a result, they were left with only the clothes they were wearing, plus any in their hand luggage, in freezing temperatures as low as -7C.

Passenger Helen Carr, from Urmston in Trafford, said those on board the flight were forced to go shopping in the area around Keflavik Airport.

Helen, 41, treated her partner Rick Marsh to a long weekend away for his 41st birthday. They hoped to see the Northern Lights, a long-held dream for Rick, but she said the situation forced them to cancel planned excursions.

She told the M.E.N. they had to buy socks and underwear - and 'something more waterproof than jeans! "H&M in the town centre is making a killing," said Helen. "It's the only clothes shop open and the assistant was telling us he's served nothing but Brits all stuck with no luggage. At least we have proper shoes on. There was a lady at the airport with just Crocs and socks on.

The airline said that due to 'extreme weather' - namely gusting wind - baggage was unable to be taken off the plane safely. An easyJet spokesperson said high winds were 'gusting above the maximum limits required for safe operation! Luggage, they added, was taken back to Keflavik Airport the next day from Manchester.