Airline blames Orlando airport after passengers waited hours for bags at Terminal C
ORLANDO, Fla. - An airline is blaming the Orlando International Airport (MCO) after its passengers waited hours to receive their luggage at the airport's brand new, multi-billion dollar Terminal C on Tuesday.
In a statement to FOX 35 News, Aer Lingus said it was "aware some customers experienced a delay in receiving their baggage at Orlando International Airport yesterday. This was the result of a baggage system issue managed by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority which was fully outside of Aer Lingus’ control. We apologize to customers impacted for any inconvenience caused."
"We got here at about 7 o'clock this evening, we got directed to one baggage carousel it ended up being the wrong one, and we stood there for about an hour, and no announcements from the airport we got shuffled over to another one, about 20 or 30 bags came out then nothing," said passenger Michael Dicks.
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Airport CEO Kevin Thibault told aviation authority board members their pricey, state-of-the-art baggage handling system broke down. "The issue we had with the bags was not Aer Lingus' fault. It was the contract provider of the systems' fault, and they acknowledged that in writing to us," Thibault said.
Video shared by Dicks Tuesday showed passengers throughout the terminal. He said elderly people who were in need of their medicine were among those waiting.
The baggage issue happened on the opening day of Terminal C, which touts an efficient and state-of-the-art new baggage system.
Thibault says they offered food and drinks to passengers while they waited, along with free transportation to their hotels and destinations once they got their bags. He says most of the bags have now been reunited with their owners. "Many of those bags now, I think all but three have gotten to their customers or passengers. Most of them waited and got them last night, but the remaining three we're searching with Aer Lingus to get them to their final destination."
The new terminal is the home to nearly a dozen airlines as well as a ton of stores and restaurants.