Having suffered a 4 hour delay on the outward flight, we were reassured to learn that the return flight was on time.

We duly embarked on the plane at 7.35pm for a scheduled 8.00pm departure. When all the passengers were on board, the ground handling staff came on board with the manifest, there then followed what would befit a Whitehall farce. With the ground handling agents and cabin staff going up and down the aisles counting passengers for over one hour. We were advised that there was a discrepancy between the numbers the handling agents had and those on the plane, there being one more passenger. Further counting proceeded for another 30 minutes. The captain then advised that after one more count, if the matter wasn't resolved, we would have to return to the terminal for a further count and check of boarding cards, etc. We then returned to the terminal, where we were recounted and had our tickets passports and boarding cards checked, and then returned to the aircraft.

After further counting we were told that the matter has been resolved, there was an extra passenger on board, who had been given a boarding card although he had lost his ticket. We eventually left Faro over three hours late.

This whole episode left me questioning the competence of Monarch to run an airline. The inefficient manner in which they dealt with the situation, coupled with undoubted breaches of security which allowed someone to board an aircraft without a valid ticket pose serious questions which the airline need to address. There was also no in flight entertainment and the passenger lights did not work. We were not told this, unless we asked.

Not a very good example of customer service.