A plane packed with frustrated university students was stranded on the runway for more than five hours at the Bermuda International Airport yesterday.

Passengers began arriving at the airport at about 11 a.m. to catch the 1.10 p.m. Air Canada flight to Toronto.

However snowstorms in Toronto delayed the plane?s arrival in Bermuda, and take-off time was pushed back to 2.55 p.m.

Once passengers boarded the plane, the crew became aware of technical problems, and eventually the airliner had to return to the gate for repairs.

As crew members can only work a certain number of hours before they are forced to take a break, passengers were asked to stay on the plane to allow the plane to take off as soon as the repairs were completed.

?We were told if we got off they wouldn?t give us money to get on another flight, and all the Air Canada flights are booked up until Thursday,? said passenger Emily Leitch.

Despite all efforts, time eventually ran out for the crew, and shortly after 8 p.m. all passengers were asked to disembark ? after spending more than nine hours at the airport and nearly six hours on the runway.

?People are pretty angry,? said Ms Leitch, who will miss her first day of class today.

?But we?re all glad at least it?s been resolved. The crew were amazing, they answered all our questions ? they?ve just been great.?

Passengers are expected to resume their journey to Toronto today.