30 October 2008

Low-cost rivals step in to help stranded Sterling passengers

EasyJet has launched a special rescue fare of Ã&#pound;35 for passengers left stranded after the cancellation of Sterling Airline flights today.

The fare includes all taxes and charges and one checked in bag up to a maximum of 20kgs, but is only applicable to passengers who are not covered by any airline insurance scheme.

The offer is available to any Sterling passenger due to travel home during the next seven days, or until midnight on November 5.

EasyJet flies to Copenhagen from Berlin, London and Milan, three routes that were also operated by Sterling.

Passengers from the UK should call the easyJet customer services on 0871 244 2366 and those from outside the UK should call 0044 870 6 000 000.

Passengers must provide the agent with their Sterling booking reference number and present their Sterling booking confirmation at check as further proof of booking.

Meanwhile, Ryanair has launched a less generous Ã¢'š~¬100 rescue fare for Sterling passengers.

This fare applies to flights returning to Aarhus, Billund, Gothenburg, Oslo (Torp) and Stockholm (Skavsta).

RyanairÃ¢â¬â¢s rescue fare can be booked via the Ryanair website until Friday 7 November and applies to stranded Sterling passengers only.

RyanairÃ¢â¬â¢s Stephen McNamara said: Ã¢â¬ÅâœSterling failed its passengers by leaving them stranded thousands of miles from home. This underlines the risk of flying with an airline that is not financially stable and is unable to guarantee its survival in tough economic times."

Passengers must quote their Sterling booking reference and bring the same for verification at the airport check-in point.

ABTA said the failure of Sterling once again demonstrated the gaps in the current financial protection system for airline passengers.

Passengers who were booked with Sterling will be fully protected if they booked their flights as part of a package holiday.

But others may or may not get their money back as the airline has stated that it is unable to provide refunds.

ABTA has been calling on the government to require all airlines to provide financial protection for passengers.

If travellers book airline seats through an ABTA member, they can either buy them as part of a package holiday, which would protect them through the Package Travel Regulations, or they could buy a scheduled airline financial insurance policy.

Many Sterling passengers will not be protected in this way and will have to buy further tickets.

ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer said: Ã¢â¬ÅâœThis failure in a tough economic climate, along with numerous other airline failures this year, highlights the importance of having financial protection in place when you book flights.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœABTA members can offer the maximum amount of protection. Just ask.Ã¢â¬~

by Bev Fearis and Phil Davies