Airlines spark storm of anger

Websites 'lied' over Ciara flight status and cancellations

DEADLY Storm Ciara wreaked havoc with flight schedules but a mercy mission was left in tatters by the “blatant and deliberate” misinformation from airlines, it was claimed this week.

Three family members took time out to care for an elderly relative recovering from surgery but were all left stranded by cancellations affecting flights to and from Alicante.

All had followed official advice and checked their flight status on the websites of their respective carriers - and the British Airways and Ryanair sites assured them it was all systems go. In fact both flights were cancelled.

The three were volunteer carers to help a Marina Alta pensioner who had undergone knee surgery at Denia Hospital. His daughter and 26-yearold granddaughter flew to Spain to collect him from hospital and help him cope but were stranded for two days his son, travelling to take over care duties never reached the Costa Blanca.

The pensioner - who asked not to be named - said the plan for the 'mission of mercy' was for the two women to drive his car back to Alicante airport and leave it for the son to use on his arrival while they flew with BA back to Gatwick.

“With the BA website declaring their flight was as scheduled, they set off in my car to the airport,” he said. “Part way into their journey, my daughter received a text from her husband - who had signed up for Gatwick Airport alerts - advising them their flight was cancelled.”

Alicante airport’s website also showed the cancelation, but the BA website still 'happily' confirmed the flight was as scheduled. “In fact it was confirmed in triplicate as the aircraft had three different flight numbers as a codeshare with Iberia, Vueling and BA.”

Relent

After an hour and a half spent calling the airline’s advice line 'and most of the time being cut off'; BA still insisted the flight was going ahead - and only relented after being sent copies of the two airport notices of the flight being scrapped.

“Only on receipt of these statements were they prepared to do anything about their blatantly and deliberately misinformed passengers at home,” said the pensioner.

He said Ryanair 'pulled the same deliberate deceit' on his son. He had gone to the airport having checked on the website the flight was going ahead. “Hours later he was told it had been cancelled.”

All three were later offered an alternative flight on the respective airlines several days later despite there being other carriers with space.

“They insist on having an email address for all ‘on line’ booking passengers, so why is it not compulsory for them to message every passenger with accurate updated information on why they are not going to fulfil their obligations?”

The patient said he was doing well and thanks the doctors and nurses at Dénia for his care - but said the passengers were left frustrated and facing a 'mass' of paperwork to get reimbursed for expenses.