Ryanair passengers’ suitcase and handbag returned ‘shredded and soaked’ at Manchester airport
A couple returning from a holiday in Spain say their luggage was 'absolutely destroyed' when they picked it up from the arrivals hall at Manchester Airport
HOLIDAYMAKERS returning from Spain claim their luggage was “shredded and soaked” by baggage handlers.
Paul and Margot Seymour were waiting for their luggage at Manchester Airport after a Ryanair flight from Valencia.
The couple claim their belongings were “absolutely destroyed” when they picked up their items from the arrivals hall.
They say a suitcase was “sodden wet” when they picked it up, a fleece was ripped with a massive hole in it and a handbag had the bottom “sheared off”.
It is unclear where the luggage was damaged.
Mr Seymour, 60, a retired police officer, from Llandrindod Wells in Mid Wales, told the his wife's £45 suitcase, fleece and handbag were ruined.
Mr Seymour said: "They've not just been damaged, they're totally destroyed. The bottom of the handbag had been sheared off.
"We actually saw the bags go up the conveyor belt into the hold in Valencia, so we're pretty sure it happened in Manchester.
"Also it was sunny when we left Valencia and raining in Manchester and the suitcase and everything inside was absolutely sodden wet through.
"We were not even angry, it's just absolute disbelief.
"How could the baggage handlers see that suitcase and think it was okay to put it on the conveyor belt in that state?
"We landed quite late at night and had booked a hotel for the night so we could drive home in the morning, but my wife just didn't have anything to wear because it was all soaking wet."
Swissport is one of a number of baggage handling companies working at Manchester Airport.
A Swissport spokesperson said: "We take our baggage handling responsibilities very seriously. We are currently investigating the cause of the damage and at this stage, we will not be taking responsibility for this incident.
";The appearance of the damage in the image seems to be in line with damage caused by mechanical apparatus.
“All complaints are handled on an individual basis and are investigated carefully to determine the cause of any damage. We advise passengers with any concerns in this area to contact their airline.”
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A Ryanair spokesman said no online complaint has been received.
It is not the first time workers at the airport have come under fire for the treatment of travellers' belongings.
Last month a baggage handler at Manchester Airport was caught on film hurling suitcases so hard they smashed onto the tarmac.
In August, a handler at the same airport was filmed by a rugby star mindlessly chucking heavy cases onto the airport carousel.