Mideast Tensions Strand Tenerife Tourists in Thailand
Four Spanish tourists from Tenerife are stranded in Thailand after their flight home was cancelled due to Middle East geopolitical instability, leaving them facing high costs and long waits for alternative travel.
Geopolitical instability in the Middle East is causing travel problems for Spanish citizens, even impacting those in Southeast Asia. For example, four people from Tenerife are stuck in Thailand. Their flight home, booked with Etihad Airways via Gotogate, was cancelled several days ago, preventing their return.
María Tomé, Borja, Guayarmina, and Juan were on holiday, but now they're just waiting and trying to find a way back. They've been given a new flight for the 20th of the month, but they think this is far too late. This new booking wasn't arranged by the airline directly, but by their persistent relatives in Spain, who spent hours on the phone to get it.
Money is also a big issue. Their original tickets cost less than 600 euros, but now, alternative flights can easily cost over 3,000 euros. This huge price difference makes finding another way home very difficult. They're looking at routes with up to seven stops in other Asian countries, trying to keep the cost under 1,000 euros.
The group is even more worried because other people from the Canary Islands in the same situation have managed to get flights much sooner, some as early as the 9th. Also, some suggested routes go through Abu Dhabi, which the Tenerife group wants to avoid because of current international tensions. The stress is clearly taking its toll; María Tomé says they are all exhausted.
So far, all the help has come from their relatives in Spain. Their family even managed to reach a consular official, stepping in where the authorities haven't taken direct action. Meanwhile, the stranded travelers are forming a messaging group with other Canary Islanders to share information and potential ways to get home.