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Liverpool to refund cup final tickets for fans with cancelled flights Liverpool's mayor unable to resolve flight 'shambles' for 730 fans
(about 4 hours later)
Liverpool have offered full refunds on tickets for the upcoming Champions League final in Ukraine to 650 fans whose flights were cancelled, as ticket-holders called the travel problems an “absolute joke”. Liverpool fans whose flights to watch their side in the Champions League final in Ukraine were cancelled face bitter disappointment after the city’s mayor said he had been unable to resolve the “utter shambles” in time.
Two flights to Kiev were scrapped by the tour operator Worldchoice Sports on Thursday after Boryspil airport could not allocate landing slots for planes due to leave the UK on Friday and Saturday. More than 700 supporters face missing the game after two operators cancelled a total of three flights to Kiev because landing slots could not be allocated for them.
The mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said he was trying to help supporters who faced missing Liverpool’s match against Real Madrid. One of them, Worldchoice Sports, initially cancelled three – though one was reinstated and left for Kiev on Friday morning. A second company, Air Partner, cancelled one flight on the eve of the match. Liverpool FC expect about 730 fans to be affected.
But hours later, a statement on the club website said: “The decision to offer refunds has been made in response to the cancellation of two flights chartered by Widnes-based travel company Worldchoice Sports, leaving about 650 supporters without a flight to Kiev for the Champions League final.” The mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, had said he was working with Kiev’s mayor, the former boxer Vitali Klitschko, and airlines to find a solution for all those who face missing out. But by Friday afternoon he said he was “gutted” that he was unable to find a solution.
Anderson said he had been in talks with the mayor of Kiev and the director of the airport in an attempt to find alternative flights. He said he could not promise anything, but was hopeful a solution would be found. Anderson wrote on Twitter: “Hugely disappointed that our efforts to sort #LFC fan flights has not worked @Vitaliy-Klychko & airport directors did all possible with landing slots and planes but not able to get over the line. Frustrated by utter shambles faced by loyal fans. The company has said it can’t resolve it, we have to respect that. Gutted we got so close.”
“With conversations that we’re having with [Liverpool] John Lennon airport, we might be able to have some flights that are available tomorrow and get into Kiev early evening,” he said in a video posted on Twitter. Liverpool have offered full refunds on tickets for the final to the fans whose flights were cancelled, as ticket holders called the travel problems an “absolute joke”.
“We’ve had conversations again with the mayor and the director of the airport there. The mayor has assured me that he will lay on transport to take people to the ground, which is about 40 minutes away.” A statement on the club website said: “The decision to offer refunds has been made in response to the cancellation of two flights chartered by Widnes-based travel company Worldchoice Sports, leaving about 650 supporters without a flight to Kiev for the Champions League final.”
Further update on #LFC fan flights @LFC pic.twitter.com/xGXcFt0tlb A later statement added: “Liverpool FC has been made aware of the cancellation of a further charter flight to Kiev operated by Air Partner Ltd and booked through travel agents Myriad Travel and Crown Travel.
Raj Soni, manager of Worldchoice Sports, blamed poor organisation in Kiev for the problem. In a statement on its website, the company said: “We have exhausted all avenues to try to get landing slots. We have had them from Liverpool airport and Manchester airport, and we have applied for slots in the correct manner and timeframe with the authorities. To reiterate – this problem is with Kiev.” “As with those affected by the cancelled or rearranged World Choice Sport flights, supporters due to travel to Kiev from Liverpool John Lennon Airport on flight number SVB116 will also be entitled to apply for a refund of their match ticket for the Champions League final.”
Liverpool are expecting more than 20,000 supporters to travel to the Ukrainian capital ahead of the match at Olimpiyskiy stadium. Raj Soni, the manager of Worldchoice Sports, blamed poor organisation in Kiev for the problem. In a statement on its website, the company said: “We have exhausted all avenues to try to get landing slots. We have had them from Liverpool airport and Manchester airport, and we have applied for slots in the correct manner and timeframe with the authorities. To reiterate – this problem IS with Kiev.”
Liverpool are expecting more than 20,000 supporters to travel to the Ukrainian capital for the match at Olimpiyskiy stadium.
On social media, Liverpool fans expressed their disappointment and anger at the lack of information they had received.On social media, Liverpool fans expressed their disappointment and anger at the lack of information they had received.
Just Spoke to @worldchoicespo customer service - 100% blaming Kiev airport. Allocated to many slots to private jets to make more money @Vitaliy_Klychko They also say @mayor_anderson is lying about the additional slots available and is spinning the PR line.0% chance of going😥Just Spoke to @worldchoicespo customer service - 100% blaming Kiev airport. Allocated to many slots to private jets to make more money @Vitaliy_Klychko They also say @mayor_anderson is lying about the additional slots available and is spinning the PR line.0% chance of going😥
So we’ve got a day to get a refund!!!! “Favourable outcome” ❌This whole situation is an absolute joke. Not @LFC fault but is that are left here just get a refund and all swept under the carpet eh? Not good enough on any level by any stakeholders apart from those let down https://t.co/Ex7BAxYjO8So we’ve got a day to get a refund!!!! “Favourable outcome” ❌This whole situation is an absolute joke. Not @LFC fault but is that are left here just get a refund and all swept under the carpet eh? Not good enough on any level by any stakeholders apart from those let down https://t.co/Ex7BAxYjO8
Jason McGimpsey, 43, a financial adviser, said he had been looking forward to the trip of a lifetime, but was told on Thursday that his flight was cancelled.Jason McGimpsey, 43, a financial adviser, said he had been looking forward to the trip of a lifetime, but was told on Thursday that his flight was cancelled.
“Worldchoice Sports had been stalling on giving us e-tickets and exact departure times, and it’s become clear why that was the case. Now, finally they’ve said ‘we’ve cancelled it’,” he said.“Worldchoice Sports had been stalling on giving us e-tickets and exact departure times, and it’s become clear why that was the case. Now, finally they’ve said ‘we’ve cancelled it’,” he said.
“I’ve been offered a refund, but it doesn’t go anywhere near compensating me for what I’ve lost. For various personal reasons, I was unable to go to the finals in Istanbul or Athens. I go to practically all Liverpool games and I haven’t missed a home game in nearly four years.”“I’ve been offered a refund, but it doesn’t go anywhere near compensating me for what I’ve lost. For various personal reasons, I was unable to go to the finals in Istanbul or Athens. I go to practically all Liverpool games and I haven’t missed a home game in nearly four years.”
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