‘We’re left with flight and accommodation vouchers but no clarity on how to use them’

COLIN Pierce, a retired health care worker from Drumahoe, had high hopes of a family holiday in Valencia in June.

But he is now left with flight and accommodation vouchers and questions about how they can be used.

He said: “I was supposed to go to Valencia on June 2 with my wife Lorraine, our daughter Jessica, her partner Geroid and our grandson Oliver.

“We were there last October and loved it so much that we wanted to go back, and we were so looking forward to it.

“We had booked our accommodation with Airbnb and our flights with easyjet, and according to the easyjet website our flights are going ahead, but I know that’s not the case.”

Colin has tried to secure refunds — with mixed success.

He added: “We accepted vouchers from Airbnb for our accommodation that are valid for a year, which I was happy enough with because I know we will use them.

“Easyjet did send us an email about vouchers, which I would also be OK with, but what they were not clear about is how the vouchers will work.

“I don’t know if they are only valid if all five of us use them at the same time or can I book flights for my wife and I and then my daughter can book flights to somewhere else at a different time.”

Colin says he is pessimistic about the prospects of jetting away in 2020.

He added: “We have just resigned ourselves to not going anywhere this year and to be honest I don’t think I would feel comfortable being on a plane sitting close to people, and that is the big issue for me.

“I would have no problem being in Valencia because coronavirus is here as well as there, but getting there would be the problem.”