A COUPLE and their twin babies were left grounded in Gatwick because of an airline’s mistake. Sarah and Dario Crispini and their one-year-old daughters Sophia and Roisin had to get off their Aurigny flight to Guernsey when it was discovered there were more infants on board than safety rules allowed.

The Crispinis – on their way to visit relatives in the island – had already battled their way across the London Underground to make it to the airport check-in desk on time.

But they ended up having to wait around three hours for the next flight, which was then delayed by an hour.

‘We booked on the net for two adults and two infants,’ said Mrs Crispini.

‘But somehow the booking became three adults and one infant.’

Aurigny has apologised to the family and blamed a computer error.

A data transfer glitch on its new reservation system – which subsequent manual checks failed to pick up – had led to the problem said the airline’s managing director, Malcolm Hart.

It resulted in more infants being booked on the flight than safety requirements permit. Aurigny carries four infant liferafts and safety belts on its ATR 72.

‘We accommodated the family in the best way we could,’ he said.

‘They were offered access to Gatwick’s executive lounge, and meal vouchers, as well as a full refund on the outbound leg of the journey.

‘A change-of-booking fee on the return leg of their journey was also waived.’

But the error had made a hard day worse for the family.

‘It is stressful travelling with the twins anyway,’ said Mrs Crispini.

‘Travelling from London was hard because we had to plan everything to leave on time.

‘Then the Tube was delayed, so we were worried we would miss the flight anyway.

‘We were also the last ones to check in, but we didn’t realise until we were actually sitting on the plane that we couldn’t be on the flight.

‘We booked the earlier flight to fit in with the girls’ routine. They woke up at 6.30 on Thursday morning so they were extra tired.’

Aurigny said that if passengers tried to book more than four infants on a flight, the problem should flag up so that it can be dealt with then. The airline has now identified the source of the technical problem and made the necessary changes to avoid other families finding themselves in the Crispinis’ situation.