We'll Get You Home

£75m to get 60,000 stranded Brits back EasyJet grounds fleet but could help the airlift

Tens of thousands of Brits stranded overseas will be brought home in a £75million airlift.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab promised charter planes would be sent to help those who had no access to regular services as borders shut and airlines ground their fleets.

He urged travellers to take commercial flights where possible, but up to 60,000 will be brought home on the special flights starting this week, with tickets expected to cost between £250 and £500,

It followed claims that some British holidaymakers were being asked tens of thousands of pounds to fly home from destinations such as Australia.

Mr Raab said the Government will provide the “necessary financial support” for the charter flights in partnership with British Airway, Virgin, EasyJet, Jet2 and Titan.

It came as easyJet grounded its entire fleet yesterday.

Mr Raab added: “Once special charter flights have been arranged, we will promote them through the Government’s travel advice and by the British embassy or High Commission in the relevant country.

“British travellers who want a seat on those flights will book and pay directly through a dedicated travel management company. We have designated £75million to support those flights and the airlines in order to keep the costs down for those seeking to return to the UK.”