This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-52018623

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
EasyJet despicable over Egypt rescue flights, Bristol couple says EasyJet despicable over Egypt rescue flights, Bristol couple says
(32 minutes later)
Tourists were plunged into chaos when EasyJet cancelled and resold seats on "rescue" flights after Egypt went into coronavirus lockdown, a couple says.Tourists were plunged into chaos when EasyJet cancelled and resold seats on "rescue" flights after Egypt went into coronavirus lockdown, a couple says.
Anne-Marie and Matthew Gilke have described the firm's behaviour as "absolutely despicable". Anne-Marie and Matthew Gikes have described the firm's behaviour as "absolutely despicable".
The pair had flown from Bristol to Hurghada on 11 March, before Foreign Office travel advice was issued.The pair had flown from Bristol to Hurghada on 11 March, before Foreign Office travel advice was issued.
"I will never fly with them again as long as I live," said Mrs Gilke. Easyjet has been asked to comment."I will never fly with them again as long as I live," said Mrs Gilke. Easyjet has been asked to comment.
"They could have made a horrible situation easier," Mrs Gilke continued."They could have made a horrible situation easier," Mrs Gilke continued.
'Blind panic''Blind panic'
Because no travel advice was issued before they set off on their 10-day trip, Mr and Mrs Gilke feared their travel insurance would be invalid if they cancelled it.Because no travel advice was issued before they set off on their 10-day trip, Mr and Mrs Gilke feared their travel insurance would be invalid if they cancelled it.
"On the Monday (16 March) we were told that Egypt would be closing its airspace, closing its borders and all the hotels would be closed," Mrs Gilke said. "On the Monday (16 March) we were told that Egypt would be closing its airspace, closing its borders and all the hotels would be closed," Mrs Gikes said.
"There was blind panic, with everyone trying to get on a flight. Just after we found that out, we found that our flight home on the Saturday had been cancelled."There was blind panic, with everyone trying to get on a flight. Just after we found that out, we found that our flight home on the Saturday had been cancelled.
"They didn't offer us any other flight so people were desperately trying to find a way home, before we were thrown out of the hotel.""They didn't offer us any other flight so people were desperately trying to find a way home, before we were thrown out of the hotel."
Like other holidaymakers, she spent all week trying to re-book a flight.Like other holidaymakers, she spent all week trying to re-book a flight.
In the end, despite losing their original seats for the Saturday flight she still tried to board it.In the end, despite losing their original seats for the Saturday flight she still tried to board it.
"We waited all day, we queued up and they were only allowing people with the new boarding reference number," Mrs Gilke said."We waited all day, we queued up and they were only allowing people with the new boarding reference number," Mrs Gilke said.
"Essentially, they had cancelled our flights and then sold our seats to someone else."Essentially, they had cancelled our flights and then sold our seats to someone else.
"There were about 150 people just left in the airport absolutely hysterical by this point because we'd heard this was the last flight from EasyJet.""There were about 150 people just left in the airport absolutely hysterical by this point because we'd heard this was the last flight from EasyJet."
The couple eventually managed to re-book another flight the following day, for £200 each and arrived home on Sunday evening.The couple eventually managed to re-book another flight the following day, for £200 each and arrived home on Sunday evening.
Mrs Gilke believes 50 or so people are still stranded after being unable to book return flights home.Mrs Gilke believes 50 or so people are still stranded after being unable to book return flights home.