A wheelchair user was left behind at Lanzarote Airport and missed her flight to Bristol after reportedly being forgotten by the special assistance staff responsible for helping passengers with reduced mobility.

The incident happened on 12th May at Terminal 1 of César Manrique Lanzarote Airport on a Ryanair flight bound for the UK. According to witnesses, the passenger had booked special assistance and was waiting at the designated meeting point for passengers with reduced mobility to be escorted to the boarding gate and onto the aircraft.

However, the assistance never arrived, and the plane departed without her on board.

At Lanzarote Airport, assistance services for passengers with reduced mobility are provided by Mitie, a subcontractor working on behalf of airport operator Aena.

The passenger was forced to remain in Lanzarote overnight and purchase a new Ryanair ticket for the following day, adding unexpected costs and disruption to her journey.

Witnesses familiar with airport operations have suggested the incident may be linked to the high number of assistance requests handled by staff. They claim workers regularly face heavy workloads due to increasing demand and a lack of personnel.

This is not the first time concerns have been raised about the service. Around a year ago, two elderly passengers with reduced mobility were reportedly left behind while attempting to board an easyJet flight to Liverpool.

Aena has confirmed that airport management is investigating what happened. In a statement, the airport operator said it will take any necessary action in line with the current contract and the service standards required of the company responsible for providing assistance.