EasyJet
Taken from the Cyprus Mail last week:
EasyJet offers ‘rescue fares’ for stranded troops
By Patrick Dewhurst Published on August 18, 2010
LOW-COST carrier easyJet said yesterday it was launching a special ‘rescue fare’ via Cyprus for British troops who are being delayed in getting home to the UK from the front lines in Afghanistan.
Those travelling via Cyprus can go to one of the island’s two airports - Paphos and Larnaca - between six to two hours before an easyJet flight and purchase a ‘rescue rate’ ticket, the airline said.
Tickets will be priced at £43 sterling and will include a kitbag at no extra charge, it added.
Paul Simmons, UK General Manager said: “This is about getting our troops home as soon as possible if things go wrong with their intended travel plans. The special time with friends and family is vital to those serving in the forces and we’re happy that we can help in some small way.”
It emerged on Monday that faulty RAF passenger planes were prompting some British soldiers transiting through Cyprus on their way home from Afghanistan, to buy their own tickets home on commercial flights.
The Telegraph reported the grounding of an RAF Tristar aeroplane in Akrotiri, which left more than 200 homebound British troops stranded for three days in Kandahar province.
The incident allegedly prompted “dozens” of subsequently returning troops to book EasyJet tickets from Cyprus back to the UK, so that they could spend their leave with friends and family.
One defence source confirmed 11 cases in which soldiers had booked commercial flights back to Scotland, because of anticipated disruption due to industrial action by French air traffic controllers.
While the threat of strikes has loomed large in recent weeks, a second defence source based in Cyprus confirmed it was problems with the “air bridge” – the route between Afghanistan, Cyprus and the UK - which prompted anxious troops to buy the “dozens of tickets.”
The source sought to reassure troops, saying this three day delay was “obviously a one off” and that the troops’ decision to book was not necessary, and that no returning soldiers would miss out on their rest and recuperation (‘R&R’)
UK ministry of defence spokesman Nick Manning confirmed this yesterday, saying “Acting upon the concerns of personnel who have experienced problems, the incoming Government has recently made significant changes to ensure they do not lose out on Rest and Recuperation as a result of disruptions to the air bridge.”
Manning said all troops affected by these disruptions would be granted additional post operational tour leave on a day-for-day bases.
Asked about the problems with the Tristar aeroplane, Manning said, “Tristar is a hard working aircraft, operating in tough environments which, unfortunately, can sometimes lead to unavoidable delays.”
Around 9,000 British troops are routed through Cyprus to Afghanistan every six months, with most returning troops remaining on the island for “decompression” at the end of each tour.
EasyJet said the ‘rescue fare’ would be available for a initial six week trial period and tickets would be offered subject to availability. The fare will be £43 sterling for a one way fare to any UK airport that easyJet flies to from Cyprus. Also tickets can only be purchased by troops transferring through Cyprus. The routes include: Paphos to London Gatwick, Luton, Bristol and Manchester, and from Larnaca to London Gatwick