Holidaymakers in tears after plane forced to turn back mid-flight

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Holidaymakers say they were left 'disgusted' after being told their flight was returning to the UK mid-flight. The TUI flight bound for the Greek island of Zante was initially due to leave Cardiff Airport early on Friday afternoon (July 19).

However, a global IT outage resulted in it being delayed for more than five hours before eventually taking off later that evening.

Several hours into the flight, as the plane was travelling over Poland, holidaymakers were then informed that it would be heading back to the UK because the airport at their destination was closed, Wales Online reports. READ MORE: Forensic officers comb flat as man arrested after suspected arson attack According to one passenger, an announcement was made informing them that the airport in Zante had shut for the day, meaning the flight would be turning around and heading back to Cardiff. "My wife was on the flight with her friend - they were really looking forward to their holiday," said one man, who had arranged the trip for his wife. "It was only meant to be a short break, flying out today (Friday) and coming back on Tuesday next week. "But the flight was delayed five hours by the time they took off, and then when they were in the air - I think they were over Poland - an announcement came over the speaker saying that they had to turn back." Zante only has one airport - Zakynthos International Airport - which states on its website that "planes are not permitted to land or depart during the night".

This, according to the man, is widely known to holidaymakers, and the delay at Cardiff Airport should have made it obvious that the plane would not be able to land in Zante. "My wife is very, very upset," he added. "Her friend had to answer the phone because