Passengers in 7-hour bus ordeal after Cork flight grounded

DOZENS of air passengers had to endure a seven-hour coach journey the length of the country last night after their flight was grounded for safety reasons.

Cork-bound Aer Arann flight RE304, which had about 36 people on board, was about to take off from Belfast City Airport at 8.10pm when passengers noticed a very strong smell of aviation fuel inside the cabin.

Cork businessman Michael Mulcahy said he saw a type of vapour form in the cabin and spread.

“A few women who were seated near the front of the aircraft spotted the vapour first and they became concerned,” the managing director of RSVP Media said.

The pilot aborted the takeoff and taxied the aircraft back to the terminal.

“They did everything by the book and took absolutely no chances at all,” Mr Mulcahy said.

Engineers were called to examine the turboprop aircraft but the decision was taken to ground it for safety reasons.

Passengers were then presented with three options – a refund, rebook their flight, or take a coach to Cork Airport.

Most opted for the coach which was due to arrive in Cork at around 4.30am this morning.

A spokesman for Aer Arann said passengers were never at risk and at no stage was an emergency declared.

He apologised for the inconvenience but said safety is a priority.