17 March 2023 , 13:29
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Airline passengers who endured a nightmare landing during severe winds which left many sobbing in the aisles have been offered counselling by the airline.
The TUI flight from Tenerife was due to arrive at Manchester Airport, but the pilot was forced to divert to East Midlands due to the extreme weather conditions.
Customers were left in floods of tears when the pilot attempted to touchdown as the plane was buffeted from side to side in Storm Larissa.
Afterwards passengers spoke of their horror landing with some saying they did not think they would see their families again.
In the wake of the incident TUI has offered support for those caught up in the landing.
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Passengers were due to land in Manchester but the plane was diverted to East Midlands (Flightradar24)The company said in an email: “We would like to assure customers that instances of this nature are rare.
“TUI has offered all those on the plane counselling.”
Passenger Gareth Salter said of the incident: "People were panicking, babies were screaming, women were crying.
“There were some young girls behind us in floods of tears.
"I was saying my prayers, to be honest. I didn't think I'd see my family again.
“We knew from the news the weather was going to be bad, but as soon as we were started coming into land it just didn't feel right.
"There were crosswinds and we were buffeted about in the turbulence.
"I knew it wasn't Manchester as soon as we landed. Then they came on the speaker and said we were at East Midlands and that it was a trainee pilot and asked us to give him a clap for landing us safely. People were clapping because they were still in shock.
“It was just awful."
Passengers have been offered counselling (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Gareth claimed the shell-shocked passengers were then 'abandoned' at East Midlands and left to find their own way home or arrange hotels.
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TUI denies the claim, saying transfers were organised to take customers back to Manchester Airport.
The travel firm says passengers were also offered the choice to make their own way home and claim the costs back or were offered accommodation where it was unsafe to travel.
A spokesman for the travel firm said: "Unfortunately, one of our aircraft was diverted to East Midlands Airport due to severe wind-speeds on the approach to Manchester.
"The safety of our customers and crew is always our number one priority and we would like to reassure passengers that their safety was never compromised. Our flight crew undertake rigorous training that exceeds all regulatory requirements for these very situations.
"Once safely landed, the pilot entered the cabin and updated passengers as to what had happened, and ground transportation was arranged for them to continue on to Manchester that evening, although we apologise if there were any further delays with the arranged transportation.
"We would like to assure customers that instances of this nature are rare and thank our passengers for their understanding. TUI has offered all those on the plane counselling from CCP (Centre for Crisis Psychology) should they need it."