Lochmaben couple trapped In sunny Madeira

Dec 18 2009 by Kieran Westbrook, Dumfries Standard Friday

A LOCHMABEN couple have been left stranded in Madeira after airline company Globespan went bust.

Robin and Susan Bryden, who both work for the Standard, flew out for a sunshine break on Monday.

And less than 48 hours later their tour operator collapsed leaving thousands of people stranded.

Susan said: “Lucy [our daughter] rang us on Wednesday to tell us the company had gone bust.

“We had no idea before that, and it seems to have come completely out of the blue. The travel agents didn’t seem to have expected it at all.”

Scotland’s biggest airline Flyglobespan collapsed after its parent company Globespan entered into administration on Wednesday. All flights were cancelled, leaving the couple having to find another airline to get home with on Monday.

Susan said: “It has spoiled things a bit, because rather than enjoying the holiday, we’re having to arrange flights – it’s not been very relaxing!”

She added: “The people who really deserve the sympathy are the people who will lose their jobs. Our holiday has been spoiled a bit, but it must be a terrible time of year to face losing your job.”

The couple are expecting the Civil Aviation Authority to rearrange their return home.

But when they get back to the UK the problems won’t end there – their car is parked at Edinburgh Airport and that may not be where their returning flight lands.