Airport chiefs are reviewing diversion handling procedures after holidaymakers were forced to spend five hours trapped on a Boeing 757 aircraft at Stansted Airport.

A pregnant woman had to have medical treatment and a teenager collapsed while the plane stood at the airport early yesterday (Wednesday) morning.

Both passengers were seen by paramedics and allowed to disembark.

The trouble began when six planes were diverted to Stansted from Gatwick Airport due to runway repairs and fog.

The JMC Airlines flight from Palma, Majorca, landed at Stansted at 1.14am carrying 214 passengers.

It was the last of the six diverted aircraft to land and it had to join a long queue for services of baggage handlers and airport staff.

A spokesman for JMC Airlines said: "The airport had a great demand placed on it at a time when things are usually quiet, in the middle of the night. Passengers were let off the plane at 6.20am and as a gesture of goodwill we are offering all passengers £50 compensation."

A spokeswoman for Stansted Airport said: "We very much regret the incident and are reviewing the handling of diversions to improve the quality of service provided."

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