Storm Sees Passengers Fainting, Sick as Flights Diverted to Other Countries

Footage on social media shows how storm Isha led to major travel disruptions, severe turbulence and, in some cases, even illness for those trying to fly back to the U.K.

The U.K. is reeling from the impact of two major storms that have wreaked havoc across the country for much of the past week. Isha struck on Sunday, bringing heavy rain and strong winds that resulted in significant travel disruptions. It was quickly followed up by storm Jocelyn, with wind speeds of up to 97 mph recorded in some areas of the U.K.

A snapshot of the impact Isha had was provided by several TikTok users sharing footage showcasing their experience of the disruptions for those flying.

One user, posting as travelwithebs, shared a video showing how the poster's Ryanair flight from Portugal's Faro Airport on Sunday had to be diverted from the original destination, the U.K.'s East Midlands Airport, because the plane couldn't "handle the wind strength to land."

The plane went instead to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, where arrangements were made for passengers to stay overnight on foldout beds. The poster headed home the following day. In the video's caption, travelwithebs said the travelers were "making the most of a bad situation" adding that "luckily Ryanair got us home quickly."

Newsweek reached out to travelwithebs for comment on TikTok.

Ryanair confirmed that there was some disruption to flights from Faro to the East Midlands on this date, resulting in the Paris diversion. "To minimize disruption, Ryanair arranged a replacement flight from Paris to East Midlands for the following morning," a Ryanair spokesperson told Newsweek.

"Despite Ryanair's efforts to arrange accommodation for passengers, availability was limited, and passengers were advised that they could also arrange individual accommodation and that they could claim back expenses on Ryanair.com," the spokesperson went on. "Passengers who chose to stay at the airport were provided refreshments, blankets and camp beds. The flight departed for the East Midlands at 06:45 the next day."

Another Ryanair passenger shared details of the significant disruption passengers faced on a flight from Paris to Dublin on Sunday. According to the slideshow posted to TikTok by Charlotte Moloney, who describes herself as a model and veterinary student in her biography, her flight originally departed at 5:45 p.m. and was set to be diverted to Belfast before ultimately landing at Scotland's Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

She said she experienced "severe turbulence" on the flight, while many of her fellow passengers were "crying and vomiting" as a result of the disruption. One woman who allegedly suffered a panic attack and passed out required assistance from the staff on board. Moloney said that the passengers remained on board while on the tarmac for several hours even after landing in Glasgow.

The video caption read: "For those involved in any of the Ryanair flights during storm Isha, I feel for you."

She went on to say that while the experience was "absolutely traumatic," the pilot and staff on board were "amazing" in dealing with people and praised the hospitality of the locals where they landed.

Moloney said she then struggled to find overnight accommodation, as many hotels were booked up. Though she eventually found a room, there were more weather-related delays and disruptions the following day. Moloney eventually arrived home at around midnight, more than 24 hours later than she had planned.

In a statement to Newsweek, a Ryanair spokesperson confirmed that the flight from Paris to Dublin was among those disrupted because of Isha and explained why passengers remained on the tarmac even after arrival in Glasgow.

"Passengers remained onboard, for less than three hours, while we tried to position the aircraft back to Dublin. However, as weather conditions did not improve and crew reached their permitted hours, this flight was delayed overnight," the spokesperson said. "Despite Ryanair's efforts to arrange accommodation for passengers, availability was limited, and passengers were advised that they could also arrange individual accommodation/transport and that they could claim back expenses on Ryanair.com.

"This flight departed from Glasgow to Dublin the following day with over 170 passengers on board," the spokesperson continued. "Ryanair sincerely apologizes to all passengers affected by these storm-related disruptions, which were entirely beyond our control and impacted all airlines operating to/from the U.K. and Ireland on Sunday, January 21st, and Monday, January 22nd."

Newsweek reached out to Moloney for comment on TikTok.