Cruise line P&O Cruises says passengers who unexpectedly spent Christmas on Bermuda because their flight home was diverted after being hit by freak turbulence, have arrived back in Manchester.
Eleven passengers were injured when Maleth Aero flight 1975 hit extreme turbulence two-and-a-half hours into a flight from Barbados to Manchester on Christmas Eve.
The flight, with 225 cruise passengers on board, was diverted to Bermuda, where passengers were put up in hotels while the aircraft underwent checks.
The plane, which had taken off an hour late from Barbados, had been expected to land in Manchester at 6am on 24 December.
Injured passengers were taken to hospital and were later discharged. The return flight took off on Boxing Day evening from Bermuda.
A P&O Cruises spokesperson said: “Following freak (unexpected) turbulence a flight from Barbados to Manchester was diverted to Bermuda on Sunday morning.
“Having explored all flying options and due to airport operating times, guests were placed in hotels in Bermuda.
“The flight home departed at 4pm yesterday and landed early this morning.
“We are very sorry for this disruption to the journey following their holiday and we worked round the clock with the airline and hotels to take care of the guests and to ensure they get home as soon as possible.”
P&O Cruises has charted Maleth, in addition to its TUI charters, to carry Gatwick and Manchester passengers to and from Antigua and Barbados this winter.