Wolverhampton pub worker caught up in Monarch cancellations
A pub worker has told how she was left stranded at an airport in the Canary Islands – but has managed to get another flight back to the UK on the same day.
Gemma Astbury was due to return from a short holiday to Gran Canaria at 11.10am, with a Monarch Airlines flight booked from Las Palmas to Birmingham.
However, on arrival at the airport at 6am, the 27-year-old discovered the full effect of the airline going into administration, with her flight cancelled.
She joined dozens of others waiting at the airport for news on how they could get home.
After the initial distress, she has now been put on a flight to London Gatwick today, where she will be getting a connection to Birmingham.
It comes as a relief to Ms Astbury, who needs to get back to Wolverhampton tomorrow morning for work.
She is a team leader at The Crown pub in Wergs Hall Road, Wolverhampton.
She said: "I need to get back home and go to work.
"I'm not really angry, these things happen, but I just want to get back now."
Ms Astbury flew out to the island last Wednesday, staying at Palma Club Resort.
She added: "There are many people at the airport, but most are not affected.
"There are many Ryanair flights which leave today.
"I knew nothing about what was happening to Monarch until yesterday.
"I tweeted the company, but initially did not hear anything back so came to the airport early."
