A Northern Ireland author has spoken of her shock after she was left stranded “on the tarmac” in a wheelchair at a Belfast airport as her flight departed without her.
Liz Weir was due to board an easyJet flight from Belfast International to Edinburgh, where she had been due to host an event on Friday.
The County Antrim woman uses a wheelchair due to a heart condition, which meant she had to wait for the rest of the plane’s passengers to board.
She told BBC News NI that when she arrived at the steps to take her turn to board the 13.00 BST flight the pilot gave a signal to suggest that she could not do so.
The airline said two other passengers were also affected.
Mrs Weir, from Cushendall, said in a social media post: ”Myself and another wheelchair assistance passenger were left sitting on the tarmac as our pilot took off without us.
“He saw us plainly as we could see him shaking his head but refused to reopen the closed door.
“My bag is now headed for Edinburgh. So much for my lovely gig tonight. Apologies to all concerned.”
A spokesperson for Belfast International Airport told BBC News NI they were aware of the situation but said it was a matter for the airline.
In a statement, easyJet said: ”We are very sorry that flight EZY55 from Belfast to Edinburgh on Friday 21 June departed without three passengers who were being accompanied by the airport’s special assistance provider.
“We have urgently raised with the provider and our ground-handling team to understand why this happened.”
The airline added: ”We are doing everything possible to assist the passengers, arranging for flights to Glasgow and Edinburgh later this evening to get them to their destination as quickly as possible,
”Our team looked after them throughout and provided them with refreshment vouchers while they waited for their new flight.
“We will also be processing the compensation they are due.”
Mrs Weir described her experience as “exhausting” and “distressing”.
She commended airport staff for having been ”nothing but helpful” to her.
She was rescheduled to fly to Edinburgh at 20:50.