British Couple Accidentally Flown to Lithuania Instead of Spain After Airport Error

A British couple headed for a family vacation in Spain found themselves 1,500 miles away in Lithuania due to a mix-up at Bristol Airport.

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British Couple Accidentally Flown to Lithuania Instead of Spain After Airport Error

Andrew and Victoria Gore, both 47, arrived at Bristol Airport on May 25 with the intention of boarding a flight to Barcelona, Spain. They had planned to celebrate Mr. Gore's 47th birthday on the Costa Brava. However, an unforeseen blunder led them on a journey to an entirely different destination.

The couple, who booked special assistance at Bristol Airport due to their disabilities, boarded what they believed to be the correct flight. As the rest of their family made it to Barcelona, the Gores found themselves on a plane bound for Kaunas, Lithuania.

British Couple Accidentally Flown to Lithuania Instead of Spain After Airport Error

"We were told they were definitely on the flight and they said 'just relax', so we had a sleep as we'd been up early," Mr. Gore told BBC News. "When I woke up, it didn't look like Spain out the window, I turned my phone on and it said 'Welcome to Lithuania.'"

Confused and concerned, the couple alerted Ryanair officials, who booked them on the next available flight to Barcelona. However, that flight was scheduled to depart from Riga, Latvia, the following morning, requiring the couple to travel 150 miles by Uber to the airport.

British Couple Accidentally Flown to Lithuania Instead of Spain After Airport Error

Ryanair has acknowledged the error and attributed it to a mix-up by Bristol Airport's special assistance provider, despite announcements made by the crew about the flight's destination. Bristol Airport has launched an investigation into the incident and is working to improve its procedures.

Despite the airline providing overnight accommodation and transportation to the correct airport, the Gores' luggage was delayed for two days, adding to their frustration. "It was surreal, and an experience I never want to have ever again," Mr. Gore said.

The incident has prompted the couple to question the adequacy of assistance provided to passengers with disabilities at airports. "We have been away lots of times and always had special assistance, so this was nothing new to us," said Mrs. Gore. "The minibus took us to the Ryanair plane and they checked our boarding pass and let us on the plane."

As the Gores finally arrived at their intended destination, they couldn't forget the anxious moments they experienced as a result of the airport error. "Even though they took us to the right place eventually, the experience had already happened, the damage had been done, and we can't forget those worrying moments."