SCOTLAND fans heading to the World Cup have been left stuck at Edinburgh Airport after a United Airlines flight was cancelled.
Members of the Tartan Army heading to Chicago, Illinois, have been left waiting at Edinburgh Airport after their flight was cancelled on Thursday afternoon.
The flight to Chicago O’Hare was initially delayed, but was then later cancelled altogether with the airline citing a mechanical issue with the plane.
The airline confirmed that passengers due to fly on the UA119 flight from Edinburgh to Chicago will receive compensation.
A statement on the United Airlines’ website said: “Your flight is cancelled because we needed to take the plane out of service to address a maintenance issue.
“Your safety is our priority and we're sorry for the inconvenience.”
A spokesperson for the airline added: “UA119 from Edinburgh to Chicago was cancelled today due to a navigation system issue.
“Customers received compensation and re-accommodation on the next available flight.”
However, Scotland fans who have been left waiting at the airport claim there are no flights to the US on Friday and that there is only one that will make the opening match between Steve Clarke’s team and Haiti on Saturday.
One fan wrote on social media: “Basically we were told to collect our luggage and leave the airport.
“No flights tomorrow to transfer to and only one Saturday that makes the game.”
It comes after thousands of Scotland fans have made the trip to the US to watch the men's national team compete in their first World Cup in 28 years.
Edinburgh Airport saw hundreds of fans alone pass through its gates with a procession of pipers, drummers and Highland dancers escorting travelling Scotland fans on Thursday.
Around 100 supporters were led to their gates by the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo pipes and drums, as a sea of tartan filled the departure hall.
Elsewhere, US president Donald Trump said his country was working to ensure “the right people” could come in after a number of visa issues affected the week leading up to the start of the World Cup.
Several Tartan Army members have also been rejected after they were approved for travel to the US.
Dozens of supporters say their electronic system for travel authorisation (Esta) has unexpectedly changed from “approved” to “travel not authorised”, with no explanation.
Lauren Bis, acting assistant secretary for the US Department of Homeland Security, said the Trump administration is enforcing immigration laws and that Esta applications are continuously vetted against law enforcement and security databases.
Trump was then asked about it at a White House briefing on Wednesday and said: “We’re working on it very closely to make sure the right people come into our country.”
