More than 200 holidaymakers, including a wedding party and a couple with five-month-old twins were left stranded at Cork airport for nearly 20 hours after their flight to Lanzarote was delayed because of heavy fog.
Passengers checked in at the airport shortly after 2pm on Thursday for a 4.45pm flight to Lanzarote.
However, there was an initial four-hour rolling delay and then passengers were informed that their aircraft from Shannon was unable to land at Cork airport because of heavy fog.
Disgruntled passengers were given food vouchers and, at 10pm, many checked in to the Sunset Ridge Hotel courtesy of charter airline Eirjet and Falcon Holidays.
However, they were told that they would have to return to the airport for a 2.50am flight but this too was cancelled because of poor weather conditions.
At 10am yesterday it was announced over the tannoy at the airport that passengers would depart at 2.30pm - 24 hours after they queued up to check in.
Yesterday, many irate passengers criticised Eirjet and Falcon Holidays for not keeping them adequately informed of the situation.
Catherine O'Callaghan from Mayfield in Cork was part of a 45-strong party flying to Lanzarote in the Canary Islands to be a bridesmaid at her sister's wedding. She said bride-to-be Linda Doherty was under immense pressure at what should have been a joyful time for the family.
"She is naturally hyped-up about this," Ms O'Callaghan said. "It is a good job the wedding is next Thursday and not today or tomorrow because it would have ruined it.
"Only that there is 45 of us going out we would have gone home last night. We heard nothing from the reps.
"We have twins as part of our group and they are only five months old. Their mum has had to sterilise their bottles in the airport toilets. There were no facilities put on for families with kids. It is a disgrace."
Lily Radford from Hollyhill on the north side of Cork city said she felt passengers were being given a "variety of excuses" when all they wanted was action on the ground.
She added she felt particularly sorry for families with young children who were "climbing the walls" because of the delays.
Eirjet's managing director Paul Schutz yesterday apologised for the delay which, he insisted, was outside of the company's control. He refuted claims made by passengers that the flight had been delayed because the pilot was tired or there was a shortage of aircraft.
"Naturally, we regret all of the inconvenience but it is a weather issue and a safety issue and we operate to the highest standards. You cannot schedule for fog. We have done our best. We fully appreciate that passengers have been inconvenienced."
Falcon Holidays said yesterday's delays were due to "exceptional weather conditions". A spokesman said the situation was compounded by the fact that Arrecife airport in Lanzarote closed during the night so flights could not be arranged during that time.
However, it wasn't all bad news. Irish holidaymakers in Lanzarote who should have returned home on Thursday night had an extra day in the sun because of the poor weather, returning to Cork airport at 7.30pm last night.