We are delighted to feature this news story, where one travel company went to astonishing lengths to rescue 10 of their customers. The trip was made at the cost of the travel company where the first priority was to simply rescue people in need.
On Friday 3rd April, HPB chartered its own small plane to travel from England to Izmir, Turkey where it met 10 stranded travellers ranging 60-80 years old. Within 4 hours, all 10 on board were landing at the private jet centre at Stansted airport at around 13.30 and safely making their way home.
The coronavirus pandemic has caused havoc around the world and no travel company on the planet is likely to have escaped its torment in some capacity, but one other thing they all have in common is the duty of care they have for their guests. This is certainly true for the Holiday Property Bond (HPB) who have worked tirelessly to ensure that the vast majority of their Bondholders were returned back to the UK from their 15 overseas destinations before the closing of international flight routes, all except for 10 who were stuck in Turkey including a number of senior citizens.
With very little choice other than the torturous multi-day journey, as currently advised by the FCO, through numerous countries including a layover in Minsk with no guarantee of an onward UK bound flight, HPB felt that the only suitable option to get this group of travellers, all of whom were over 60 with some in the eighties and some of fragile health, home to their families quickly and safely was to charter their own small plane.
On Friday 3rd April 2020, after meticulous planning and dedicated work from the team in the UK, the HPB chartered flight travelled from England to Izmir, Turkey where it met the stranded travellers and turned immediately for home. Within 4 hours, all 10 on board were landing at the private jet centre at Stansted airport and safely making their way home. HPB will now work with the rescued holidaymakers and their insurance providers to investigate recovery of the costs of the charter.
HPB’s Managing Director, James Boyce said of the ‘trip’: “The safety and comfort of our bondholders has always, and will always be our main priority. In the unusual circumstances surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic and the daily changes to travel advice and bans it was essential that we found a way to return our bondholders as quickly as possible. I am hugely impressed by the team’s diligence and commitment to this situation and am pleased that all 10 made it home safely.”
H&C News would like to congratulate HPB on going the extra mile in customer service, or 4,400 in this case. Well Done!