About 120 on flight arrive in New York state early Sunday.
LAKELAND | The delayed Direct Air flight of 120 passengers finally took off for Niagara Falls, N.Y. after being delayed about 15 hours, officials said Sunday.
The flight was originally scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Saturday. It left Lakeland Linder Regional Airport just after 11 p.m. Saturday, Lakeland Linder Regional Airport Director Gene Conrad said.
The passengers arrived in New York state about 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Conrad said.
The plane -- contracted to Direct Air by Sky King airlines -- attempted its flight twice Saturday but returned each time because of cabin air pressure issues. Direct Air employees found a plane in Minneapolis able to make the flight, avoiding a cancellation.
Polk County ambulances treated two people at the airport Saturday, and took one of them to Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Conrad said Sunday the patients complained of shortness of breath.
Conrad was unsure whether their medical complaints were caused by exposure to the air pressure problems. He said the person taken to LRMC returned to the airport and flew to Niagara Falls that night.
Airport officials worked to accommodate the stalled passengers by providing them meals as well as toys and diapers for their children, Conrad said.
A rental car company at the airport allowed passengers who had returned vehicles to use the cars while a crew attempted to fix the air pressure issue, Conrad said. Some rented a hotel room for the day, he said, or shopped at Lakeside Village during the delay.
"At a big airport, you can't do those type of things," Conrad said. "We're a little more hospitable."
Matthew Pleasant can be reached at matthew.pleasant@theledger.com or 863-802-7590.
LAKELAND | The delayed Direct Air flight of 120 passengers finally took off for Niagara Falls, N.Y. after being delayed about 15 hours, officials said Sunday.
The flight was originally scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Saturday. It left Lakeland Linder Regional Airport just after 11 p.m. Saturday, Lakeland Linder Regional Airport Director Gene Conrad said.
The passengers arrived in New York state about 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Conrad said.
The plane -- contracted to Direct Air by Sky King airlines -- attempted its flight twice Saturday but returned each time because of cabin air pressure issues. Direct Air employees found a plane in Minneapolis able to make the flight, avoiding a cancellation.
Polk County ambulances treated two people at the airport Saturday, and took one of them to Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Conrad said Sunday the patients complained of shortness of breath.
Conrad was unsure whether their medical complaints were caused by exposure to the air pressure problems. He said the person taken to LRMC returned to the airport and flew to Niagara Falls that night.
Airport officials worked to accommodate the stalled passengers by providing them meals as well as toys and diapers for their children, Conrad said.
A rental car company at the airport allowed passengers who had returned vehicles to use the cars while a crew attempted to fix the air pressure issue, Conrad said. Some rented a hotel room for the day, he said, or shopped at Lakeside Village during the delay.
"At a big airport, you can't do those type of things," Conrad said. "We're a little more hospitable."
Matthew Pleasant can be reached at matthew.pleasant@theledger.com or 863-802-7590.
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