Wheelchair-bound Author Stranded on Tarmac by EasyJet Flight, Calls for Better Accessibility on Airlines

In a recent incident, three individuals were left behind on the tarmac as their plane departed without them. One of these individuals was Liz Weir, an author who uses a wheelchair. This unfortunate event caused her to miss a speaking event she had planned to attend, and she was unable to catch another flight until nearly eight hours later.

Weir had arrived early for the short flight from Belfast to Edinburgh with easyJet. She was accompanied by another passenger in a wheelchair who was with their husband. As they reached the tarmac, the jet stairs were removed, and despite efforts to get the attention of the pilots, the plane took off without them.

In an interview with the BBC, Weir expressed her frustration at being left behind and how it impacted her schedule and reputation. She emphasized the importance of airlines taking better care of passengers with mobility issues. Despite missing her flight, she was able to catch a later one and eventually arrived in Edinburgh late in the evening.

easyJet acknowledged the incident and attributed it to a misunderstanding by their ground handling team and crew. They apologized for the disruption caused and promised to provide compensation for those affected. Belfast International Airport deferred to the airline for further comment on the matter.