Brit family stuck in Tenerife for a week forced to spend £1,200 in extra costs

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Luke Harcourt and wife Shelley travelled to Tenerife for a holiday break which turned into an ‘absolute nightmare’ when their return flight was cancelled. Their children are now missing school

A family of six stranded in Tenerife for a week amid travel chaos has had to fork out £2,000 in extra costs.

Desperate Brits Luke Harcourt and wife Shelley, both 38, were due to fly home from a last-minute jubilee bank holiday getaway on June 1.

But the six-day break turned into an “absolute nightmare” when their Wizz Air flight was cancelled and they could not get seats until Wednesday night – a whole week later.

Their kids Oscar, seven, Dexter, six, Carter, four, and Charlie, 12, are now missing yet more school after two years of pandemic disruption.

And Shelley is struggling after running out of her thyroid medication.

Building firm owner Luke, from Rochester, Kent, told the Mirror: “It has been an absolute nightmare. I can’t describe it to you.

“It has cost me a couple of grand at least.

“Wizz Air told us they could not help with accommodation or get us on any sooner flights. We have to try to get them to reimburse us when we are back.”

Family friend Bob Singh, 53, who has diabetes is also facing health concerns after running out of his medication.

His partner Mesh Kaur, also from Rochester, has had her birthday plans back home ruined as she is turning 51 tomorrow.

Luke, who is missing work, added: “We have tried to look for flights with other airlines but they are all full. It gets quite frightening when you are away with young children and you can’t get home.

“We only brought clothes for six days. We have had to find a launderette and buy some more clothes.

“But the main thing is the kids are missing school now as well.”

Wizz Air apologised for the delays and cancellations, citing widespread staff shortages affecting the industry including air traffic control, ground operations and baggage handling, security and across airports.

A spokesman added: “Our sincere apologies to those customers whose travel plans have been affected as we do understand how disappointed they are, particularly when so many people want and deserve to travel the world again.

“We are trying everything we can to offer them a range of options so that they can travel including alternative flights with Wizz Air, a full refund or 120% in airline credit (both of which we aim to process within a week).”