There was contrasting news yesterday for Jersey residents who had been stuck on the Indonesian island of Bali, with one couple successfully returning to Europe while another remained marooned.
Sandy and Jon Morgan, who have been on holiday in Bali and were originally due to return to Jersey yesterday, said that attempts to secure flights had been frustrated by a public holiday in Indonesia.
The couple said that some hotels were strictly observing the sacred Hindu feast of Nyepi, an annual day of silence that meant no electricity or wifi for residents.
Mr and Mrs Morgan booked their travel with Emirates, but the Dubai-based airline cancelled several flights and has now completely suspended its global schedule.
The couple said they were liaising with other stranded Britons in an effort to share information and were hoping for action through the UK Foreign Office and the British Embassy.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told the House of Commons this week that his officials were working to assist UK nationals.
There was better news for Jersey couple Claudia-Rose Williams and Ross Pringle yesterday. The duo secured places on a flight from Bali to Doha in Qatar and subsequently transferred to London Heathrow, where they landed just before midday yesterday, and planned to catch the evening British Airways flight from London Gatwick back to Jersey.
A Government of Jersey spokesperson said: ‘Our External Relations team is working closely with the UK Government, and liaising with partner governments and honorary consuls, to explore all options to ensure that Jersey residents who are stranded overseas, and who wish to return home, can do so in a safe and timely manner.
‘Any individuals overseas, friends or relatives who are concerned about a Jersey resident who is overseas can contact External Relations by emailing externalrelations@gov.je or calling the helpline on 445566.’
