Many countries are now announcing changes to the Corona classification of countries of origin with a little lead time. So does the United Kingdom, which has moved Montenegro to the “red list”. Easyjet wanted to fly numerous passengers back to the UK on August 29, 2021 with a special flight. But that went wrong.

The UK government has classified Montenegro as red since August 30, 2021. As a result, you have to go into an expensive hotel quarantine. But if you have made it in time before the changeover, proof of vaccination and test is sufficient. And that is exactly the problem, because the Easyjet special flight from Tivat to London-Gatwick was delayed.

“We regret this extremely difficult situation that arose on the flight concerned due to the changed status of Montenegro as the red country of origin for trips to Great Britain and the technical defect of the aircraft. We have done everything in our power to fly in a second repatriation plane to get all customers back to the UK well in advance of the deadline. We are very grateful to our pilots and our crew that they were able to bring 155 customers back before the deadline, ”said an Easyjet spokeswoman.

The travelers only arrived after the reclassification and have to go to a ten-day hotel quarantine in England at their own expense. Self-isolation at home is not allowed in “red countries”. The authorities remain, even if it is only a little “excessive” time.

Easyjet wanted to make a name for itself with customers, because the carrier has recently started offering “quarantine evacuation flights” when the UK government puts countries on the red list. Regarding the Montenegro offer, that went wrong and should have massively angered the passengers. It is unclear whether Easyjet will pay for the quarantine costs, which can exceed £ 2.000. “Our condolences go to the customers who have been denied entry to Croatia by the border authorities and we assist them with their additional accommodation and travel needs. In addition, all customers are entitled to 400 euros in compensation, ”said the spokeswoman.

Facts about the incident:

• The return flight EZY8522 from Tivat, Montenegro to London Gatwick cannot be operated due to a technical problem.
• As a result - and given the urgency of the upcoming change from Montenegro to red country of origin status - Easyjet has flown a second repatriation plane to Dubrovnik, Croatia. “We chose Dubrovnik because Tivat airport was closed in the early evening, so there was no way to make the return flight on the same evening,” said a spokeswoman.
• The passengers were then transferred to Dubrovnik by bus, from where 155 passengers reached Great Britain before the 3.58 am (local time) deadline.
• However, the Croatian authorities refused entry to some passengers. They were transported back to Tivat, where, according to Easyjet, they will receive further assistance with their local accommodation and their return journey.