Foreign Office works with airlines to fly stranded Britons back home
deserve to go this way.”
Last week the heartbroken daughter of Northern Ireland’s seventh Covid-19 victim told the Belfast Telegraph how her mother died not knowing that her beloved brother had also passed away.
Carol Palmer’s mum Linda Wilson (64), who was originally from Greenisland, succumbed to the virus on Wednesday, March 25, after being admitted to hospital on Mothering Sunday.
But while she was fighting for her life in Belfast’s Mater Hospital her children opted not to tell her that their uncle Graham Campbell, who was in his 60s, had suffered a fatal heart attack at work on Sunday. Mr Graham was buried at Roselawn Cemetery on Friday.
Mrs Palmer also said she will have to attend her mother’s funeral in protective clothing.
THE Government will work with commercial airlines to help stranded Britons get home, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has announced.
The Foreign Office has set aside £75m to charter flights to get those stuck abroad home from areas where commercial routes are no longer running.
In areas where commercial flights can still run, the Government will work with airlines to get people home.
Speaking at yesterday’s daily Downing Street press conference, Mr Raab said: “I can today announce a new arrangement between the Government and airlines to fly home tens of thousands of stranded British travellers, where commercial flights are no longer possible.”
He added: “Under the arrangements that we are putting in place, we will target flights from a range of priority countries, starting this week.”
Virgin, easyjet, Jet2 and Titan Airways signed a memorandum of understanding negotiated by the Foreign Secretary and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.
British Airways has said they will work with Government to get people home and other airlines are expected to join.
Mr Raab said airlines would be responsible for getting passengers home where commercial routes remain an option.
“That means offering alternative flights at little to no cost where routes have been cancelled, and it means allowing passengers to change tickets — including between carriers.
“So, for those still in those countries where commercial options are still available: don’t wait. Don’t run the risk of getting stranded. The airlines are standing by to help you — please book your tickets as soon as possible.”
More information is available on the Government’s foreign travel advice website.
The announcement comes as airlines face intense financial pressures as passengers stay at home. Yesterday, easyjet grounded its entire fleet of aircraft.
The Luton-based carrier said parking all 344 of its planes “removes significant cost” as the aviation industry struggles to cope with a collapse in demand.
The move came as Scottish regional airline Loganair said it expects to ask the Government for a bailout to cope with the impact of the pandemic.
As part of the Government’s repatriation efforts, airlines will be expected to transport passengers with pre-booked tickets home, offering them alternatives where routes are cancelled and allowing them to change tickets, including between carriers.
Where commercial routes do not exist, the Government will provide up to £75m financial support to enable special charter flights — operated by the partner airlines above and others — to fly to priority countries to bring back UK residents.
Stranded NI woman finally home, P14