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STANDSTILL AIRPORT

Chaos at Stansted sees thousands of suitcases abandoned at the baggage claim following a weekend of travel hell

THOUSANDS of suitcases have been abandoned at Stansted Aiport's baggage claim following a weekend of travel hell.

Thunderstorms coupled with strikes in several European countries led to scores of flights being cancelled on Friday night and Saturday, as "knock-on" disruption continued to be felt today.

Mounds of luggage were piled up for the thousands of passengers whose flights were delayed or cancelled
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Mounds of luggage were piled up for the thousands of passengers whose flights were delayed or cancelledCredit: GEOFF ROBINSON.
Absolute chaos at Stansted airport as Ryanair cancels 14 flights because of storms at the start of the summer holidays leaving passengers furious

More than 20 flights have have been grounded so far - as mounds of luggage waited to be collected by their frustrated owners.

Dozens of cancellations yesterday left more than 15,000 travellers on Ryanair stranded, with the budget airline telling holidaymakers to leave the Essex airport and use the website to rebook flights.

A large handwritten notice in the luggage area read: "For Ryanair cancelled flights. Please collect your baggage from Reclaim 4. Please re-book your flights online or on Ryanair App."

Despite passengers venting on social media, a spokesperson for the budget airline said their UK operation was "running well today".

Hundreds of unclaimed bags and suitcases have been left in the baggage area after Ryanair cancelled flights following the thunderstorms on Friday
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Hundreds of unclaimed bags and suitcases have been left in the baggage area after Ryanair cancelled flights following the thunderstorms on FridayCredit: GEOFF ROBINSON.
More than a thousand cases were left to be retrieved after scores of flights were cancelled in the wake of the bad weather and strikes
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More than a thousand cases were left to be retrieved after scores of flights were cancelled in the wake of the bad weather and strikesCredit: GEOFF ROBINSON.
Thousands of passengers were left in limbo over the weekend after scores of flights were cancelled at the last minute
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Thousands of passengers were left in limbo over the weekend after scores of flights were cancelled at the last minuteCredit: Twitter / @Jessicap631
Frustrated passengers at Stansted were told to leave the airport and use the website to rebook flights
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Frustrated passengers at Stansted were told to leave the airport and use the website to rebook flightsCredit: Ian Whittaker - The Sun
Several hundred British Airways passengers arrived from Alicante, Ibiza and Malaga an average of 18 hours late on Saturday
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Several hundred British Airways passengers arrived from Alicante, Ibiza and Malaga an average of 18 hours late on SaturdayCredit: GEOFF ROBINSON.
Ryanair referred frustrated passengers to a claim form after cancelling dozens of flights
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Ryanair referred frustrated passengers to a claim form after cancelling dozens of flightsCredit: Twitter / @Jessicap631

Planes are worst affected at Stansted, but departures to Dublin from Birmingham, Luton and Newcastle have also been grounded.

Holidaymakers on other airlines have also suffered delays, with several hundred British Airways passengers arriving from Alicante, Ibiza and Malaga an average of 18 hours late on Saturday.

A Ryanair spokesperson said: "There is a very small number of delays and cancellations as a knock-on effect from the extreme weather disruptions (Fri) and the disruptions arising from ATC staff shortages in the UK, France and Germany."

Frustrated Ryanair passengers took to Twitter to complain, with user m.g.p wrote: "spent 12 hours overnight waiting for customer service.

Ryanair pikits are striking in a dispute over seniority, annual leave arrangements and transfers of flight crews
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Ryanair pikits are striking in a dispute over seniority, annual leave arrangements and transfers of flight crewsCredit: AFP
Strikes by Ryanair staff combined with terrible weather left thousands of holidaymakers stranded
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Strikes by Ryanair staff combined with terrible weather left thousands of holidaymakers strandedCredit: AFP
Frustrated passengers wait for another announcement at Stansted Airport
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Frustrated passengers wait for another announcement at Stansted AirportCredit: Twitter / @jen_and_berry

"No food, no drinks, people sleeping on the floors - still no explanation of what is happening.

"30 flights cancelled 2 people in customer service!!"

Frustrated passenger Luke wrote: "Can you respond to me please? Flight now 6 hours delayed. Other people have been emailed vouchers for food and drink.

";I have only received an email about the delay. I need assistance. Live chat has a 79 minute wait".

Large waves in strong winds hit the sea wall as a train passes at Dawlish in South West England this morning
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Large waves in strong winds hit the sea wall as a train passes at Dawlish in South West England this morningCredit: Reuters
A lifeguard stands on Bournemouth beach in Dorset, as heavy rain and gusts of up to 50mph saw the weekend washout continue following weeks of hot, dry weather
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A lifeguard stands on Bournemouth beach in Dorset, as heavy rain and gusts of up to 50mph saw the weekend washout continue following weeks of hot, dry weatherCredit: PA:Press Association

Wild weather has wreaked travel havoc on the UK after weeks of almost uninterrupted dry sun.

Passengers have experienced lengthy delays on ferries and Eurotunnel trains as well after storms brought an abrupt end to the heatwave in the UK and Europe.

Under EU passenger rules, Ryanair has to offer you a refund, an alternative flight or a flight with a rival airline providing there are seats available.

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But the budget airline claims it could refuse compensation in the case of strikes and extraordinary weather.

A statement said: "Ryanair fully complies with all EU261 legislation, however as these flight cancellations were caused by extraordinary circumstances, no compensation is due.

"Under EU261 legislation, no compensation is payable when the union is acting unreasonably and totally beyond the airline’s control."

Ryanair have been cancelled 14 more flights at Stansted Airport after 'extreme weather' has caused a backlog of delays

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