Flyglobespan passengers rescue begins
Tiffany PhillipsRival low cost commercial airlines come to the rescue of stranded Flyglobespan passengers, after the Scottish carrier collapsed, abandoning 4,000 passengers in far away destinations and no way to return home.
The strenuous and complex task of repatriating Flyglobespan passengers began today while unions critisiced the company for its treatment of employees and clientele.
It’s been reported that at the time of the sudden collapse yesterday, there were about 4,000 passengers who had used the carrier to fly abroad and found themselves without any return flight.
Flyglobespan, the largest passenger airline in Scotland, had applied for administration late yesterday and all its scheduled flights were immediately cancelled.
Offering a special one-off fare, low cost rival Flybe came forward and offered to help the stranded passengers to return to Scotland. Flybe provided emergency flights home for only £59.99, taxes and charges included, where it was possible to do so.
The budget carrier immediately made seats available on it routes from Geneva, Malaga, Alicante and Chambery for Flyglobespan customers who wanted to return to either Glasgow or Edinburgh by using its hubs in Southampton or Exeter.
EasyJet has also stepped in with offers to fly passengers stranded in Switzerland, France, mainland Spain, the Balearics as well as Portugal for only £60, taxes and charges included, to any airport within the United Kingdom by 24 December.
People stranded in the Canaries, Cyprus, Egypt and Madeira can use easyJet to fly back home for £80 per person. Until 30 December, easyJet also has direct flights from Faro, Alicante or Malaga to Glasgow for £60 as well as Geneva to Edinburgh.
Ryanair is also playing its part with the introduction ofspecial rescue fares ranging from £59 to £89, taxes and charges included.
Paul Clark, Transport minister, said the Government was focusing on bringing back home in time for Christmas the stranded passengers.
A spokeswoman for PricewaterhouseCoopers, the company appointed to take charge of Flyglobespan, said the first issue for administrators was to bring back stranded passengers and subsequently the carrier’s 800 employees.
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