Liverpool fans stranded after Kiev flights cancelled

Ian Watson

Hundreds of Liverpool fans have been informed on Thursday afternoon that their flights to Kiev for the Champions League final have been cancelled.

Tour operator World Choice Sports issued a statement to say that landing slots had not been secured for three flights into Kiev from Liverpol John Lennon Airport, with one due to depart on Friday and the other two on Saturday – the day of the meeting with Real Madrid.

The statement said: “With deep regret, we have had to cancel three flights to Kiev

“Due to so many flights going into Kiev, Kiev Borispyl has been unable to allocate times for aircraft.

“We have worked extremely hard over the last 48 hours trying to resolve these issues. We have had Liverpool Football Club, Police, UEFA and everyone at the highest levels of authority trying to resolve this.”

The Liverpool Echo reports the cancellations have affected more than 1000 fans who paid £950 for the trip.

The cancellations come on the same day that Real Madrid returned 1000 tickets to UEFA for the showpiece. The tickets cannot be reallocated to Liverpool fans due to security issues.

The club issued a statement to say they were still seeking a positive resolution.

It read: “Liverpool Football Club is continuing to work with all of the relevant stakeholders in the UK and Ukraine in an attempt to resolve a situation which has left around 1,000 fans without flights to Kiev for the Champions League final.

“Flights chartered by World Choice Sports had been set to take supporters to Ukraine, but a dispute between the Widnes-based travel company and the aviation authorities in Kiev over the size of the aircraft has led to the trips being cancelled.

“Along with officials from Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Liverpool City Council, UEFA and the authorities in Kiev, Liverpool FC has been endeavouring to resolve the issue since it first came to light and will continue to do so until all avenues have been exhausted.”

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