On board was an anxious Tánaiste who was flying to Beijing with a connecting flight in Dubai for a number of high-level political engagements with Chinese officials. Less than 48 hours prior, the Fianna Fáil leader had attended his party’s ard fheis, something he would not dare miss.

However, the timing of the annual event left him with few options to ensure he got to China on time. Messages flashed into a WhatsApp group set up for media and Irish embassy officials in Beijing late on Sunday night about the delayed flight.

That prompted panic that Mr Martin’s Monday events, including a meeting with China’s vice president Han Zheng, may be scrapped.

Luckily for Mr Martin, it appears that, in Dubai, planes are held back for VIPs and he made the second leg of his travels, although without his checked-on suitcase.

In the flurry of ensuring he and his travelling staff made the Dubai flight, it appeared officials forgot to mention that two journalists who were on board to report on his trip and one unfortunate Department of Foreign Affairs official also needed to be prioritised. Instead, they were left behind, having to wait hours to catch another flight, and missed the first day of the itinerary.

It is not the first time Mr Martin has had bad luck with airplanes. He missed a meeting with fellow Coalition party leaders just two weeks ago as he was stranded in Luxembourg as the air corps plane that flew him there needed repairs.

His Dublin to New York flight in September last year was forced to make a U-turn an hour into the trip after a bird strike caused engine trouble. He was also previously left stranded in Brussels due to a technical fault on an aircraft.

Finally arriving at Beijing International Airport, but without his luggage which he hoped was on the flight with the two Irish journalists, Mr Martin was ushered into a car, dashed across terminals, and rushed in a motorcade to the Great Hall of the People to meet with the vice president.

Smartly, having probably learned from a previous incident, he packed a spare suit in his hand luggage, allowing him to freshen-up before his engagement.

Arriving at the Great Hall of the People, a state building used for ceremonial activities by the Chinese government, Mr Martin appeared unfazed by the chaotic nature of his journey.

Sitting among senior Irish and Chinese officials in front of a large painting of the Great Wall of China, Mr Martin spoke with the vice president about the potential to grow Ireland’s trading relationship with the superpower — before being whisked away again.