Family's airport hell

A family who had to board five planes before finding one fit to fly them to Paris is demanding compensation.

The family from Leicestershire spent £1,350 on the three-day holiday to Disneyland.

The aircraft were withdrawn because of technical faults.

One of them had to turn back in mid-air. The family say they have had no explanation or apology from the travel company or the airline.

The family had planned the trip for two years

Diane Woodward and her niece Samantha Hales booked the holiday as a treat for Mrs Hales' three young children.

The family arrived at East Midlands Airport for a 0645BST BMI British Midland flight to Paris.

They boarded the plane but had to disembark when a technical fault was discovered.

The passengers all boarded a second flight which also suffered technical problems and was withdrawn.

The third time passengers boarded a plane it did depart for Paris.

During the flight, an indication light came on the flight deck and the captain returned to East Midlands Airport.

The trip was a birthday treat for the children

Mrs Woodward and Mrs Hales and the children were then sent in a taxi to Birmingham airport to travel with Air France.

The first Air France plane they boarded there was also withdrawn because of a fault.

The family finally made it to Paris on a second Air France plane - nine hours late.

Mrs Hales said: "It was the first time my twin daughters, who are four years old, had travelled abroad.

"Every time we got off one of the planes still in England they asked me if we were there yet.

"It was a holiday from hell. I will definitely not fly with British Midland again.

British Midland said safety had to come first

"We only had three days there so it was disastrous to lose a whole day in the airport."

The travel company who sold the holiday, Ilkeston Co-op Travel, said it was investigating the complaint.

A spokeswoman said: "It sounds like a horrendous experience.

"We will be contacting the airlines involved and then getting in touch with the clients.

"In cases like this compensation is usually offered."

BMI British Midland said in a statement that it had every sympathy with the passengers that were subjected to the inconvenience but it had to put safety first.