Ray of hope for Inverness family stranded in the Philippines during coronavirus pandemic
There is a glimmer of hope for an Inverness family currently stranded in the Philippines as a result of coronavirus lockdown measures there.
Ian Simpson – who has been in the country, together with his wife Engela and their two pre-school age children, since the middle of February – missed out on a repatriation flight from the capital Manila earlier this month because there were no internal connecting flights to get them to it from their base in Butuan City.
He said the UK is now set to run another special flight on Tuesday next week – plus three feeder flights, including one from the island where they are staying.
Mr Simpson said: "We have registered our details and payment method and the cost is in line with the new banding of a maximum of £800 each. If we are accepted to fly there will be challenges, however it is a big step in the right direction."
He said the ticket price was around £200 per person cheaper than the April 7 flight they had been unable to take.
They are currently awaiting confirmation of booking.
He said: "The embassy will reach out with a travel pass to get to the feeder airport – if required they will include a return pass for the driver."
However, the airline could issue the e-tickets as late as just 12 hours before the flight – giving the family a tense few days until they find out whether they will definitely be heading home.
Mr Simpson said: "On receipt of our e-tickets we need to contact the local department of tourism and government office to arrange department of health approval to travel. That could include a full medical to ensure we have no Covid-19."
If all goes well their journey will involve an eight hour car journey from Butuan to the feeder airport in Davao city, where they will take a two-hour flight to the capital Manila, followed by a 15-hour journey to Heathrow.
After an overnight stay in London they will finally arrive back in Inverness after a 10-hour car journey.
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