Flight to Madeira Turns Around Due to Strong Winds
As reported by RTP Madeira, today’s EasyJet flight EJU7625 from Lisbon to Madeira turned into a long and frustrating experience for passengers. The flight was delayed on departure and later forced to return to Lisbon after failing to land in Funchal due to severe wind conditions.
The aircraft, an Airbus A320, departed with about an hour's delay. It reached the skies above Madeira but made only one attempt to land before returning to Lisbon. The strong crosswinds at Cristiano Ronaldo Airport, known for difficult landings, made it unsafe to complete the trip.
Passengers Kept Onboard Without Proper Information
After landing back in Lisbon, and according to a source of RTP Madeira, passengers were not allowed to leave the plane for a total of six hours (Diario), a source close to RTP Madeira mentions even almost eight hours.
At first, they were told that a new flight crew would arrive to continue the journey. But that did not happen, and no clear updates were provided for several hours.
Several passengers reported feeling abandoned. No free meals or drinks were offered - only items for sale. Many people on board, including children and elderly passengers, said they were tired, confused, and unsure of what to do.
At one point, around 28 people decided to leave the aircraft on their own. The rest remained, waiting for official word from the airline. Only after several more hours were they told that the flight had been cancelled.
EasyJet gave them the option to rebook their travel but did not offer hotel stays or transportation. This led to more complaints from travelers who said they were left to make their own arrangements late at night.
Police Called After Arguments Break Out
As tension grew among passengers, the police were called to the airport. According to reports from RTP Madeira, two people were identified by officers after a disagreement on board. No arrests were made, but the presence of police highlighted the seriousness of the situation.
Airline Faces Backlash Over Handling of the Incident
EasyJet has not made a full public statement on the matter. Passengers have already begun sharing their stories online and through the media, criticizing the airline for how it managed the situation. Some have contacted customer service, while others are considering filing complaints with Portugal’s aviation authority.
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