TUI APOLOGISES OVER CHAMBERY AIRPORT DELAYS

7th January 2020

Last modified on May 16th, 2021

People were kept on planes and there was overcrowding in the main terminal building as planes could neither take of or land for many hours.

Others had to wait in the airport car park in sub-zero temperatures.

The French Red Cross stepped in to provide sleeping mats, blankets and some food.

Others were stuck on the ground at UK airports as planes were cleared for takeoff.

One TUI traveller at Manchester, Joe Grattan, tweeted he had been “stuck inside a plane for 10 hours, with two shortbread fingers and a glass of water, next to the runway”.

Most of the TUI passengers were with Crystal Ski.

It was not the only UK travel agent whose clients were affected, though some planes were able to land and take off at Chambery.

“We can confirm that a number of customers have been impacted following adverse and changeable weather conditions in Chambery on Saturday 4 January,” said a statement from Crystal Ski’s parent company, TUI.

The operator apologised, adding customers were provided with food and drinks and were supported by Crystal ski reps.

“We did everything we could to book coaches and hotel rooms in Chambery but due to lack of availability under exceptional circumstances, the majority of customers had to be accommodated in a local emergency shelter, where they were supported by our team of Crystal Ski reps and provided with water and refreshments,” said a spokesperson for Crystal Ski.