Scots couple stranded in Albania due to flight chaos fear they won't make granddaughter's wedding

David and Joyce Sinclair were set to fly from Tirana, Albania back to Edinburgh on Friday.

A Scots couple stranded in Albania are desperate to make it back in time for their granddaughter's wedding after their flight home was delayed for over 24 hours.

David and Joyce Sinclair were set to fly from Tirana, Albania back to Edinburgh on Friday. They were booked on the 10.55am Ryanair flight, however after being told their flight was delayed for several times, the panicked couple fear they could miss their granddaughter's big day tomorrow (Sunday, October 6).

The couple had made arrangements to be back in time for the wedding which is taking place in Newcastle at 10am. But they now fear they will miss the occasion, Edinburgh Live reports.

It comes as our sister news website, previously reported passengers on the flight were put up in hotels, as the departure time faced constant changes.

In the latest update, Ryanair texted passengers to inform them the flight is now due to take off at 9.50pm and an aircraft is being sent from Edinburgh. Some passengers were previously told the flight's estimated departure time was 11.50pm.

David, 74, said: "There is just no communication. There were no Ryanair staff at the airport so we were all waiting at the gate for about 12 hours before we were taken to a hotel. There was about 200 people and there were two buses and a mini-bus to ferry people.

"We were hoping to be in Edinburgh and then drive down to Newcastle on Friday. But at this rate, it looks like we will get to Edinburgh later tonight and then we will have to get a Megabus down."

He added: "It is my eldest granddaughter getting married so of course we want to be there. We will be gutted if we miss it.

"If we don't make it back in time, then at least we could go to the evening reception. We might miss the actual wedding ceremony, but it is what it is."

The 74-year-old told how the experience has been 'soul-destroying' as he tried to get answers.

"Not everyone was getting updates, the flight kept changing and then we just don't know if it was actually going today," he added. "I tried to speak to someone on that web chat, then I phoned and was 436th in the queue. It's soul-destroying!

"Everyone in the hotel is getting on with it and helping each other but we're all frustrated."

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At around 2.30pm, customers received an update from Ryanair which read: "Our operations team is working hard to reduce this delay on your flight. Unfortunately, your flight has been delayed. Your new estimated time of departure is 23.45pm."

An hour later, they received the following: "Update: Please be advised that flight RK8295 to Edinburgh is scheduled to depart today at 21:50. We are now sending over a new aircraft from Edinburgh due to a technical issue with the aircraft in Tirana. We have also issued and additional set of refreshment vouchers."

According to Tirana Airport, flight RK8295A has been rescheduled and customers are being advised to contact the airline.

Ryanair have been approached for comment.

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