Travel companies are continuing to find alternative methods to repatriate stranded customers as concerns mount that it may take days or even weeks for airline schedules to return to normal.
UK airports reopened at 10pm last night (Tuesday), but it will take some time for passengers to be repatriated.
Kaleidoscope Travel Group, which consists of Travelsphere, Page & Moy and Just You, has arranged for its regular charter ship Athena to bring customers back from Lisbon to the UK.
The company has also flown customers to Madrid from around the world, and has footed the bill for rail and coach transfers from the south of France, Italy, Greece, Israel and the Czech Republic.
MSC Cruises brought its first 500 UK passengers back into Dover last night, having taken them by coach and ferry from Venice and Genoa.
However, the line said it was focusing on repatriating those who had bought an air-inclusive package, and advised those who had booked cruise-only themselves or through a travel agent to consult their insurance policy or speak to the agent who made the original booking.
MSC UK managing director Giulio Libutti said: “We are actively monitoring the situation and working with passengers who have been impacted. Guests are encouraged to check flight arrivals and departures with their air carrier in order to obtain up-to-the-minute information regarding their flight schedules.”