A RYDE couple, stranded in Georgia after their flight was cancelled because of coronavirus and a second flight was abandoned 45 minutes before take-off, are hoping to fly home tomorrow (Monday).

Julie Binnington and Robin Frape left the Isle of Wight on March 12 and flew Wizzair, from Luton to Kutaisi, Georgia. 

Isle of Wight County Press:

Since then, three return flights have failed to take-off and the couple say they are ‘hunkered down’ and hoping for the best.

When Wizzair cancelled their return flight three days after they arrived in the country adjacent to Turkey, Ukraine and Armenia, as the coronavirus pandemic led to borders being closed and airlines being grounded, the couple booked the only alternative they could find - Turkish Airlines via Tbilisi and Istanbul on March 20. Just 45 minutes before the last flight out was due to leave the ground it was cancelled, because of a drone scare.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Image: Google Maps

The couple say they are yet to receive any refunds from Wizzair. The Isle of Wight County Press has contacted the airline for comment.

Julie said: “Lines to Wizzair were log jammed. We eventually spoke to a member of staff on March 18, all on a UK-tariffed mobile. She was not able to tell me when the flights will start again, only that there was a possibility by mid April.”

Julie and Robin said the British embassy in Tbilisi could not help and the cost of a flight home has quadrupled.

They have accommodation paid for until March 24 and are able to stay longer, but have been reluctant to pay too far in advance in case they had to leave suddenly for an airport and could not be refunded.

The couple are hoping to fly back to the UK tomorrow.