A family is stranded in Thailand after their return flights got canceled due to the ongoing unrest in the Middle East.
Carolyn Jones received a special trip as a gift from her son Jamie for her 55th birthday. Jamie, who was injured in the Liverpool FC parade accident in May, used his compensation money to fund the holiday. Carolyn, Jamie, and their youngest son Sean, who has autism, were supposed to fly back on March 10, but the flight was rescheduled to March 17 after the initial cancellation.
Subsequently, the rescheduled flight was also canceled. Carolyn mentioned that their travel insurance policy does not cover war, forcing them to cover their hotel expenses.
Carolyn, who is medically retired due to a disability, is running low on essential medication that is unavailable in Bangkok pharmacies. She expressed the family’s desperation to return home as their dream vacation has turned into a nightmare.
The ECHO attempted to contact Etihad Airways for a response. The airline resumed a limited commercial flight schedule, including routes between Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Manchester, and Heathrow. Etihad assured that guests with prior bookings would be accommodated on these flights once safety criteria are met.
The family originally traveled from Dublin to Abu Dhabi and then to Bangkok on February 21. Carolyn mentioned that they are stuck in Thailand as they await new flight arrangements from Etihad.
Carolyn expressed concerns about running out of medication and financial difficulties due to increased flight costs. She highlighted the challenges faced by her autistic son Sean, who misses his routine at school.
The family fears being stranded for an extended period and hopes for a resolution soon. Etihad Airways announced the resumption of limited commercial flights and advised affected passengers to monitor updates on their website.
Etihad emphasized safety as a top priority and assured that flights would operate only when all safety standards are met. They encouraged affected guests to stay informed through direct communication and updates on their website.
