Agency forced to stay shut after Benidorm trip due to Manchester flight cancellations

A travel agency enjoyed its office Christmas party in Benidorm for the third year running – but had to shut shop an extra day after getting caught up in Manchester airport flight cancellations.

More than 200 flights were delayed or cancelled in and out of Manchester airport on December 15 due to bad weather conditions and a runway closure.

Oasis Travel owners Heidi Evans and Andrew Dean had planned to fly back into Manchester with their team on Monday after booking the two night break instead of holding a traditional office Christmas party locally.

They booked an easyJet Holidays package, with flights from Manchester to Alicante and accommodation at the Cimbel Hotel in Benidorm and shut the agency’s office in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday and Monday to allow staff to go on the special trip.

The team, which includes sales consultants Clare Sayer, Claire Wright and Kelly Bott, had special T-shirts printed for the occasion and enjoyed time on the beach and in local restaurants and bars during the trip. “We had a really good time and the weather was good,” said Evans.