Tourists fear for trips as crisis freezes flights
Turkey’s failed military coup caused havoc for holidaymakers.
Flights were cancelled and tourists warned to stay indoors yesterday after the attempt to depose the country’s president Recep Erdogan.
British Airways cancelled all flights to and from the country and Thomas Cook advised customers to “stay in their hotels until further notice”.
The Foreign Office also advised people to “stay indoors” and to avoid public places and areas of conflict.
Thomas Cook – who offer holidays to Marmaris, Bodrum and Antalya – said: “As a precautionary measure, we advise our customers in resort to stay in their hotels until further notice.”
Among those caught up in the chaos were 41 British schoolchildren.
They were stranded at Istanbul airport with seven members of staff waiting for a connecting flight to South Africa.
Parents of pupils from Arthur Terry secondary school in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, spent an anxious night waiting for news.
One mum, Lisa Ledbury, 43, wrote on social media: “The longest night of our lives. All the South Africa trip kids arrived at Ataturk airport just before the news reported a military coup. All flights were grounded.
“They have seen tanks on the runway, fighter jets and heard an explosion reported as a bomb. At one point all chaos ensued when someone shouted ‘gun’ and everyone started to run with people shouting ‘get down’.”
Last night, they were due to board their connecting flight. A school spokeswoman said: “The students are safe and accompanied by seven experienced members of staff and a member of the British Embassy.
“The head teacher has been in constant communication with the British Consulate, parents and the assistant head teacher, who’s accompanying students.”
Customers due to fly to Turkey were offered the chance to change or cancel their plans free of charge.
But easyJet and Jet2 said flights to and from the country were operating as normal.
A spokeswoman for
They have seen fighters and heard an explosion reported as a bomb
Barrhead Travel said yesterday: “We’ve had a team in over the weekend who were able to react quickly to the developing situation.
“We will continue to assist our customers and advise any due to travel to Turkey in the coming days to contact their local branch if they have any concerns.”
The Foreign Office said: “We’re concerned by events unfolding in Ankara and Istanbul and our Embassy is monitoring the situation.
“Given the current uncertainty we advise British nationals to avoid public places, remain vigilant and monitor our website for advice.”