An Italian woman, stranded in the region as a result of the various diverted and cancelled flights, appeared live on the MorningNews news programme criticising the Madeira International Airport.
“We have been in an apartment since last night, imprisoned since mid-August, all at our expense,” stated the obviously irate tourist.
She is not the only one:
A bizarre solution was offered to a Ryanair passenger whose flight was affected by the bad weather.
His trip was scheduled for the 17th of August but due to strong winds was diverted to Tenerife and then returned to Lisbon. The Madeiran passenger in question, who lives and works in the capital, returned to his home and was told that his flight had been rescheduled for today, the 19th of August. You can imagine his surprise, and indignation when he was informed when he tried to check in that his flight had been rebooked for the 2nd of September.
Luckily, being a frequent flyer between Madeira and the mainland he was able to find an alternative flight, but he is concerned that other passengers will suffer as they will have to find and pay for accommodation and food.
A young German couple also found themselves ‘homeless’ after their flights were cancelled. The only accommodation they were able to find was a dirty and cockroach infested Air B&B. Luckily some kind-hearted samaritans rescued them and took them in until they could return home.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
