Last Of Passengers Finally Make it Home -- Four Days Later

More than 1,000 passengers were stranded in the Canary Islands, Scotland and abroad this weekend when their charter plane was grounded.

The plane, chartered by Sky Wings, is the only aircraft operated by tour operator Seguro Holidays of Scotland. It was grounded Saturday after a major problem was found with its navigation system. Seguro was forced to cancel all its flights to and from Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire.

Passengers had been stuck on Gran Canaria since then, according to the Scotsman.

Some affected passengers managed to make it home via a few sub-charters Seguro was able secure or on their own.
Passenger Derek McLaren said: "It's brilliant to be back. Our flight was cancelled and we didn't have a lot of money.

"We had two nights' delay. We managed to get free drinks for the kids even though they didn't want to give us them."

Richard Burke, managing director of Seguro, told the BBC Tuesday, "There was a further problem with paperwork with the Civilian Aviation Authority in Athens which delayed things.

They have now reinstated the license of Sky Wings and it will be operating as normal from Prestwick. Everyone will be coming home on Tuesday."

Burke added: "We are in talks with other companies to charter a plane for the rest of the season and will be terminating our contract with Sky Wings."

FMI: www.seguroholidays.com, www.gpia.co.uk