The delayed flight eventually departed London at 5.24pm and landed in Madrid at 8.19pm local time - with fans receiving a police escort to the Wanda Metropolitano moments before kick-off
Sunday 2 June 2019 17:12, UK
A chartered aircraft carrying up to 200 Tottenham fans to Madrid for the Champions League final on Saturday was delayed for over seven hours.
The Thomas Cook aircraft, which was set to carry Spurs fans to the final in Spain, suffered a bird strike on its way to Stansted Airport in London, deeming it not safe to operate.
The flight was originally set to depart at 9.50am UK time but the incident delayed the takeoff until 5.24pm.
Fans were left stranded at Stansted Airport for seven hours while a replacement aircraft was flown in from Manchester.
The delay meant the flight arrived in Madrid at 8.19pm local time, leaving the fans with less than 45 minutes to get to the stadium before the 9pm kick-off.
Thomas Cook had reassured fans that they will be provided with transport from Madrid airport to the Wanda Metropolitano stadium.
Those supporters were afforded a police escort from the airport to the stadium, allowing them to arrive just moments ahead of kick-off.
A statement from the travel company said: "One of six chartered aircraft taking Tottenham Hotspur supporters to Madrid suffered a bird strike on its way to Stansted Airport and was deemed not safe to operate.
"We have sourced an alternative aircraft to take the remaining fans to the match in time. The other five aircraft with supporters on have all landed in Madrid."
