“Get back to work”

“Get back to work!” was the cry of many tourists yesterday morning in Palma Airport, addressing the coach drivers whose strike has caused chaos at the very heart of Majorca's tourist industry. John Buer, 61 from Truro in Cornwall had been waiting at the airport since 3am Saturday morning. His flight was due to leave at 10.50 but had since been delayed to 14.40 with more delays promised. “The hotel booked the cabs in advance so we would get here” he said. “Unfortunately, I think they planned a little too early as I'm sick of sitting and waiting. I understand that the airlines are not at fault and nor is the tour operator, but we are not very happy that we've had to lose half a day of our holiday.” He went on to cast doubt on the future of his trips to Majorca saying it would need “a lot of thought considering the problems we've faced.” Mrs Wendy Jones from North Wales was experiencing a four hour delay with more to come. She said “I will never arrange to fly over a weekend here again. I just want to go home because I'm sick and tired of this charade.” She also had to be out of her accommodation at 3am as tour operators struggled to claim taxis for their guests. Colin Purvell from Belfast said “There is always going to be something. I don't like waiting and I'm tired but I understand. Next time it might be air traffic control strikes, you just can't tell.” Others seemed to agree with Mr Purcell's understanding. “Everyone has an axe to grind” said Dennis Megan from Milton Keynes. “I'm pretty forgiving of the situation but then I haven't been waiting here that long. We only arrived half an hour ago but we have a seven hour wait until the time our flight was supposed to leave, heaven knows when it will actually go.”