Passengers deprived of New Year's Eve in Tunisia after the cancellation of their flight at Nantes airport

Rayen, 22, will remember his last day of 2024 for a long time. A student in France, he got up this Tuesday at dawn to go to Nantes airport. He had to take a flight to Monastir (Tunisia) at 6:15 a.m. to meet his parents. However, due to lack of personnel, the plane never took off, leaving 159 passengers stranded.

“Several crew members were unwell and it was not possible to replace them on the spot”confirms the company Transavia, requested by Le Figaro. “Unfortunately, it is not possible to put a substitute plane”specifies the group, apologizing to the people concerned. “Passengers have the option of departing from Nantes on the next available flight – they have been informed of this possibility -, or obtaining a refund – here too they have been informed.”

Another flight… in 7 days

Victim of this inconvenience, Rayen, who recently left Tunisair for Transavia – the latter being reputed to be more reliable and more punctual – took time to obtain information. For more than two hours, agents spoke of delays before the ax fell a little after 8:30 a.m. When the cancellation was announced, “the travelers got angry, there were swear words and people were screaming”says the student of Tunisian origin. He was offered a new flight… on January 7, while his return is scheduled for the 10th. Others were given a new flight on January 3 or 5.

Finally, after tough negotiations, he accepted a Paris Orly-Monastir flight for the next day, this being presented to him as the only solution. Returning to discuss with agents, he finally opted for a Nantes-Tunis flight on Wednesday morning, for an extra 55 euros, which he was obliged to pay for. He should have earmarked the money to go to Orly anyway. “I'm a student, I only had five euros on me. It was horrible”says the one who had to call those around him to ask for money.

Reverse flight canceled too

While waiting for his flight on Wednesday morning, Transavia is putting him up in a hotel, like around 25 travelers in the same situation. However, he will again have to pay costs to pay for the taxi that will take him to Nantes airport at dawn, his hotel being located around twenty kilometers away. He should finally arrive in Tunis at 9:25 a.m. on the 1st^is January, then find a way to reach Monastir. An adventure that he will not soon forget. According to West France other passengers had also planned to return to see their families, while some had planned to visit the city and celebrate New Year's Eve there. Furthermore, the opposite direction Monastir-Nantes flight, scheduled for this Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m., was also canceled.