Football fans plans hit by flight cancellations
10.09.07
Plans by fans of Everton Football Club to follow their team to the Ukraine early next month are in disarray after flights from Liverpool Airport to Kharkiv were cancelled late last week due to runway problems at the Ukraine airport.
Tour operator Travel Management Group (TMG) has withdrawn its one-day return package to the UEFA Cup first round tie against Metalist Kharkiv, leaving hundreds of fans without flights. The decision was blamed on runway problems in Kharkiv - Ukraine's second-largest city - where the side are due to play the second leg of their UEFA cup tie on Thursday, October 4.
The match is Everton's first European away tie for two years and a large contingent of fans had been expected to travel to the former Soviet republic. TMG had offered supporters a one-day return flights package charter flights from Liverpool John Lennon Airport, independent of the club and excluding a match ticket, for £356.
However, an email sent by TMG late last week said: 'It is with regret that we are having to cancel our tour to the Ukraine. TMG had chartered a UK-based aircraft to fly into Kharkiv, but unfortunately the airstrip does not comply with UK safety regulations, therefore the airline has refused to undertake the flights.'
'Currently, there are no other aircraft available that can operate into Kharkiv, and therefore it is with regret that we have decided to cancel the tour.' The company has promised supporters that they will refund money already paid, but this will come as little comfort to disappointed fans who will now have to arrange alternative travel at such a late stage.
The football club is offering an official travel package, and a statement on the club website confirmed that a contingent was in Kharkiv finalising travel plans, and would report back to fans today. A spokesman said: 'We are aware of potential problems relating to the airport in Kharkiv, but we will certainly not be scrapping our plans to take supporters to the game. We would, however, warn supporters to be very careful about who they book with, as many aircraft are unsuitable for the runway there.'
Other independent packages are on offer for the match, with some flying from Manchester into Kiev, over five hours' drive from Kharkiv. Some supporters are even planning to make the trip by train or fly to Prague and continue the long journey by road from there.
Add to: del.icio.us | Digg it | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit
To book liverpool airport hotel or liverpool airport car parking at the lowest price, click on these links to two great liverpool airport parking and liverpool airport hotel price comparison pages.
