Overview
- Hundreds of travelers from three Virgin Atlantic flights were kept inside the customs arrivals area for four to six hours because checked bags could not be unloaded during a storm-driven ramp closure on June 27.
- Passengers described crowded conditions with little seating or food and at least one medical incident while they waited for luggage to be moved from aircraft to the arrivals hall.
- Some travelers said staff threatened arrest if they left without checked bags, a claim denied by airport officials and local police who say no arrests were threatened.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed officers were present and reiterated that passengers and baggage are subject to CBP inspection while airlines and contracted ground handlers are responsible for delivering delayed bags.
- Virgin Atlantic and the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority said all passengers were eventually reunited with their luggage, offered reimbursements for incidental expenses, and are reviewing operations with ground‑handling partners to prevent similar delays.