Sunway opens helpline for those due to fly to Tunisia

One of the main tour operators bringing Irish tourists to Tunisia opened on Sunday to deal with calls from those who have booked holidays to the country.

Sunway has an Aer Lingus flight chartered to fly 177 holidaymakers to Tunisia this Friday.

Speaking following the fatal shootings, managing director of Sunway, Tanya Airey, said the safety of customers was paramount.

“We are working very closely with the Department of Foreign Afairs and the relevant authorities and will continue to follow their guidance in relation to travelling to Tunisia,” she said.

Ms Airey said that the news of the shootings had broken last Friday when Irish travellers had already checked in for the Tunisia flight from Dublin.

Full refund

She said a decision had been taken to delay the flight for several hours. An announcement was made offering passengers the choice not to fly and to get a full refund on their holiday, or to continue to travel.

Ms Airey said about 59 passengers of the 177 due to fly out had chosen not to.

About half of those who were already in Tunisia on holidays as of last Friday but who were not due to return for another week or two had chosen to come home, Ms Airey estimated.

She pointed out that many of the Irish tourists were staying in Hammamet, which is some 70km from where the attacks took place at Sousse.

“The people who stayed are happy enough to stay on,” she said.

Sunway has given those staying in Sousse the option to move to another location if they wish and its representatives in Tunisia are available 24 hours a day.

Those due to fly out this Friday may cancel their holiday and obtain a full refund from Sunway, they may opt to travel instead to another destination offered by Sunway, or they may continue with their plans to go to Tunisia, Ms Airey said.

From July 10th onwards, those due to fly to Tunisia may cancel but they will incur the normal cancellation charges.

Ms Airey said everyone at the company in Ireland and abroad wished to extend their sincere condolences to the families and friends affected by the tragedy.

The dedicated Tunisia helpline is available on 01 2311 805. Further information is available on the Sunway website. Separately, the Department of Foreign Affairs consular support service is on 01 4082000.