Man stranded as airline goes bust
Published Date:
04 September 2008
AN archaeologist has been left stranded thousands of miles from home following the collapse of a low cost airline.
Now Peter Robinson fears he could be stuck in Canada for up to a month after Zoom airlines went bust.
The 35-year-old from Kirk Sandall travelled to Canada over a month ago for a wedding and was supposed to return to Doncaster this Sunday on Zoom.
He is now frantically trying to arrange a flight home while stuck 4,500 miles from Doncaster.
Mr Robinson said: "It's been a nightmare because I have not heard anything.
"I have not had any phone contact - the only way I found out about Zoom was when a friend saw the announcement on the television.
"Now I'm trying to call round and find out how I get home but obviously it's not easy to find out.
"The travel insurance company are saying that I'm not covered and the credit card company are saying that I can claim the money back but so it's a bit up in the air."
After travelling to Victoria for the wedding Mr Robinson, keeper of archaeology at Doncaster Museum, is now staying in Vancouver with friends.
He added: "I have been looking and apparently British Airways are offering cheap flights to people affected but I don't know how I can get a flight.
"Apparently all the flights to get directly back to the UK are booked up until October so I've just had to tell my work I'm stuck here and I don't know when I will be back.
"Zoom has not bothered to contact me - it's gone bust so there is no one to contact.
"I am kind of lucky I have friends here because I am running out of money."
Glasgow-based Zoom operated flights from the UK to Canada and the USA.
It went into administration last Thursday blaming increasing fuel costs.
Hundreds of people have been left stranded with up to 45,000 lost bookings.
Hugh and John Boyle, the founders of Zoom, said: "We deeply regret the fact that we have been forced to suspend all Zoom operations.
"It is a tragic day for our passengers and more than 600 staff.
"We are desperately sorry for the inconvenience and disappointment that this will cause passengers and those who have booked flights."
The full article contains 394 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
-
Last Updated:
04 September 2008 11:56 AM
-
Source:
n/a
-
Location:
Doncaster