Scots travellers stranded on popular holiday island amid red weather warning

SCOTS travellers were amongst the thousands who were stranded on a Portuguese island battered by Storm Oscar.

A red weather warning was put in place for Madeira, west of Morocco, after the isle was battered by high winds and torrential rain for several days.

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Flights to and from Funchal Airport – also known as Cristiano Ronaldo Airport – were cancelled leaving holidaymakers trapped in the capital’s airport.

The airport is famous for its cliffside run away, where pilots often have to skillfully land the plane during incredible crosswinds and approach the tarmac sideways.

The UK Foreign Office have issued a warning to holidaymakers heading to Atlantic islands such as Madeira, and the Spanish Canary Islands, to check with their travel provider.

Margaret Devlin, from the village of Inchture, in Tayside is one of the Scots trapped on the island reports the Courier.

The retired primary school teacher arrived on Monday, May 22 and had been due to return on Monday, June 5.

Last night, she said: “It’s frustrating and I just want to get home but it’s no one’s fault and we just have to accept it.

“I was meant to be taking my little granddaughter to her transition from nursery to school today.

“That’s a shame I won’t manage that.”

Lesly Dorward from Dundee was diverted to Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands after trying to land in Funchal on Monday night.

She told the local newspaper: “We are still here waiting on the flight at 6.50pm but the hotel have been told to hold our rooms as we may not go.

“Jet2 have been excellent.”

The airline – who runs the Glasgow to Funchal route – had to divert two flights on Monday, but have now assisted stranded passengers.

A spokesperson for the flight provider: “Adverse weather conditions affecting Funchal on Monday meant that two of our flights from Scotland had to divert to Fuerteventura, and we moved quickly to look after customers on those flights with hotel accommodation and meals/refreshments.

“The weather conditions are obviously completely beyond our control.

“As a result of these aircraft diverting, we also acted quickly to look after customers due to depart back to Scotland, meaning they were also provided with hotel accommodation and meals/refreshments in Madeira.

“I’m delighted to say that both aircraft arrived in Madeira yesterday, meaning customers could get on with enjoying their well-deserved holidays in Madeira.

“This also meant customers flew back to Scotland.

“Our teams have been working tirelessly to look after our customers.

“We would like to thank our teams for their hard work and we would also like to thank our customers for their understanding and patience.”

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