**Ryanair Passengers Arrive in Gran Canaria to Find Every Suitcase Left Behind at Bristol Airport**
Passengers hoping for a sun-soaked start to their holidays in Gran Canaria have found themselves instead scrambling for essentials after every checked bag failed to make it onto their Ryanair flight from the UK. Reports indicate that none of the passengers’ luggage was loaded onto flight FR4757 from Bristol, with the airline later citing a “security issue” and subsequent time constraints as the cause.
Around 70 travellers, landing on Friday, 18th July, were left in disbelief as the pilot informed them, upon arrival in Spain, that every item of hold luggage remained back at Bristol Airport. No clear explanation regarding the nature of the security problem was given to passengers, resulting in confusion and mounting frustration.
Among those worst affected was a group of friends from Taunton, who were travelling to Maspalomas to celebrate both a birthday and a graduation. Madeline Cooper, 22, shared her account of the ordeal, telling journalists that all had appeared routine until the stark announcement following touchdown. “Everything seemed fine up until we landed,” she explained. “Then the captain admitted they’d chosen to leave our luggage behind. No one would say what the exact problem at Bristol Airport was, just that no bags made the flight.”
Emotion quickly turned from shock to worry as holidaymakers realised they were not alone. Cooper noted that the airport staff later confirmed that all 70 of the checked suitcases failed to travel, with the sole exception being a child’s pram. Disbelief was a common theme, as many passengers initially suspected the announcement to be some sort of practical joke.
For Cooper’s group, vital items were left behind, such as prescription medicines, contact lenses, toiletries, and sun cream. Particular concern was raised by Sophie Payne, also in the group, who suffers from severe asthma and had to begin searching for a pharmacy in unfamiliar surroundings just to obtain a replacement inhaler. “It was very stressful. I rely on my inhaler, especially at night. We don’t know the area, so it’s been difficult,” Sophie told the media.
The party, staying at the Cordial Green Golf Bungalows, described how they were at first promised by Ryanair that their luggage could arrive the following evening. However, as of the latest update, no bags had been delivered and there was little to no direct communication from either the airline or the airport. Cooper expressed frustration at the lack of support: “There’s been hardly any attempt at keeping us informed. They just told us to use an app, but not everyone with us even has a smartphone,” she said.
Financial strain also emerged as a significant issue, especially for the students in the party, who were forced to spend upwards of €60 on taxis to a shopping centre and basic supplies, just to buy new underwear and hygiene items. “All these extra costs really add up and it’s difficult for us to keep paying out,” Cooper explained.
Meanwhile, the soaring heat has only exacerbated their plight, with several members of the group—lacking sunscreen—reporting sunburns. “A lot of us have already caught the sun and it’s not comfortable,” admitted Sophie Payne.
Other affected passengers have taken to social media, venting about the inconvenience, with some stating they were now faced with missing vital medications for heart conditions and other health problems. “It’s a worrying situation for many,” one post read, “with no idea when, or if, our luggage will arrive.” Another frustrated holidaymaker commented, “Currently in Gran Canaria with zero belongings,” echoing the widespread sense of helplessness.
Despite these setbacks, the group are holding out hope that their bags will arrive in time for their planned birthday festivities, waterpark visits, and a private boat trip. “We’re trying to stay positive, but if the cases don’t arrive, it’s really going to ruin the trip,” summed up Sophie.
If the luggage does eventually make it to the island, some travellers face the prospect of an hour’s trek back to the airport just to retrieve their own suitcases, prompting further concern over what is already proving to be a costly and disruptive start to their long-awaited holiday.
As of the time of writing, both Ryanair and Bristol Airport have been contacted for comment but have yet to provide any further updates or guidance to those left stranded without their belongings.