Brits stranded by sand storms in Cape Verde
Brits hoping to fly to or from Cape Verde are being told to contact their travel company or airline for updates as sand storms are causing severe flight problems.
Some holidaymakers due to fly out of Boa Vista on Christmas Day and Boxing Day with Thomson Airways are still on the island and there are newspaper reports of ‘growing tensions’ as they have no idea when they will get home.
Thomson Airways updated its website yesterday afternoon to say flights from Boa Vista to Manchester, Gatwick and Birmingham ‘have been delayed until further notice and will depart as soon as we are able to safely operate into Boa Vista airport’.
Flights out of Manchester to Boa Vista on Christmas Day and Boxing Day were diverted to the neighbouring island of Sal.
However, Thomson said yesterday: "As there has been no improvement in the weather in Boa Vista customers will be brought back to Manchester today and have the option of a full refund or transfer to an alternative holiday."
Thomson said it hoped a Birmingham to Boa Vista flight would depart today, ‘weather permitting’.
The Foreign Office has updated its advice to say: "Sand storms from the Sahara are affecting local and international flights across Cape Verde.
"Sal is the only island currently receiving international flights. Stay in touch with your travel company or airline for updates on the situation."
Thomson said: "As a precautionary measure due to poor visibility and weather conditions we have taken the decision to delay landing into Boa Vista and land safely into SID airport on the nearby island of Sal.
"Customers who were due to travel to Boa Vista are being looked after at all-inclusive accommodation in Sal.
"We recognise the inconvenience this may cause, but the safety of our customers and crew is primary concern.
"Our dedicated resort teams in Cape Verde are working with the relevant authorities and hoteliers to ensure everyone is looked after and kept updated with the latest information and advice whilst we monitor the situation."
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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