Collapsed airlines' stranded staff return to UK

Stranded Flyglobespan crew will return to the UK today following the failed airline’s sudden collapse.
Almost 30 employees will join thousands of holidaymakers attempting to make their way home for Christmas after all flights were cancelled.
Administrators for the Globespan Group are meanwhile investigating why around £30 million from credit card bookings failed to reach the struggling company from a third-party agent.
It was announced yesterday that 550 of 650 Flyglobespan staff will lose their jobs with immediate effect, with 100 being kept on as the business is wound up.
PricewaterhouseCoopers said the remaining 27 of 60 crew left stranded abroad will return home today.
They, along with Flyglobespan customers, have been taking advantage of extra flights and special fares laid on by rival airlines.
The airline had a contract to carry passengers between Delhi in India and Medina for the Hajj pilgrimage.
Flyglobespan captain Bob Lee revealed that the crew members have been confined to their hotel for at least four days because, as non-Muslims, they are not allowed to move around the city.
Capt Lee said 1,000 Flyglobespan passengers from India were also trying to find alternative flights home, adding to the difficulties facing the crew.
Katrina McBride, from Fife, told the BBC News website: "My daughter and a number of other crew who work for Flyglobespan are currently based in Saudi and India - who’s looking after them? Who will bring them home, when and how soon?
18/12/09 Liverpool Daily Post, UK

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Categories: Foreign Dec 2009