Reading the various comments about Tunisia and how Jet2 reacted have brought me out of PPRuNe retirement, after nearly 10 years.
We subbed in and used our own a/c in Tunisia, because we wanted to make sure our customers, at a distressing time, were cared for by our own pilots & own cabin crew. Nothing to do with
PR, it was just about care & welfare.
TUI were quick to launch rescue flights because this tragic incident took place at a TUI exclusive hotel and almost immediately after it occurred, the Belgian Government advised against all travel to Tunisia (something the UK Government has yet to do and probably will not), which meant that Jetairfly a/c were launched from Belgium straight away and Thomson followed shortly after, once it became apparent there were fatalities and they were very likely to be TUI customers.
TCX had aircraft in Tunisia Saturday, that were scheduled anyway.
Our first scheduled flights, were due on Sunday
At 0900 Saturday, COBRA met and decided not to alter the UK FCO travel advice for Tunisia. We then decided to launch our 3 rescue flights and bring back any Jet2 customers (plus some TUI/TC/Monarch, free of charge), who wanted to come home and the first two arrived back in LBA & MAN Saturday night.
Just thought it right to set the record straight.
My thoughts are with the friends & relatives of the victims and those at TUI, who have had to deal with this first hand.