Horror trip on vacation in the Maldives: Shortly after this photo, the unbelievable happens – "A real disaster"

Created: 03/06/2022, 23:26

By: Andreas Thieme

Nico W. (27) and his girlfriend Rebecca (25) spent a dream vacation in the Maldives – but the return flight became a horror trip © private

It was supposed to be a dream trip to paradise: Insurance broker Nico W. (27) flew to the Maldives with his girlfriend Rebecca at the end of July 2021, where the couple spent an unforgettable week on an island.

But the return flight to Munich turned into a true travel horror! 

Munich – It started in the afternoon when hotel employees forced the couple to take a corona test, which they had to pay for themselves.

The scheduled departure on Friday at 7:45 p.m.: from Male to Doha.

Change in Qatar, then continue towards home.

"We were already on the plane to Doha when the announcement suddenly came that we had to turn back," says Nico.

The reason: technical difficulties.

There is "no reason to panic," said the captain to the passengers.

"But when the plane landed, dozens of fire engines were already parked on the runway." In fact, a window in the cockpit had been damaged!

Nico and his girlfriend escaped unscathed.

They had to spend the night at the airport.

It only continued 24 hours later - in the meantime the passengers were allowed back on the plane, but had to get off again.

"Of course that was annoying," says Nico.

Munich: Couple experienced the horror trip after their dream vacation

But it gets even worse, because the couple missed the connecting flight in Doha due to the long delay.

"Because of Corona, we were not allowed to leave the airport and therefore not to the hotel." Airlines usually offer this - but often not during the pandemic.

“We then had to spend the night again at the airport and just lay on the floor, separated by gender.

A disaster!"

Nico and Rebecca had to sleep twice at the airport - in Doha they slept on the floor © private

There were meal vouchers, "but in Qatar they were only enough for chocolate bars," says Nico.

The mood changed because pregnant women or families with children were among the travelers - but for many hours the passengers did not find out how they were being transported.

The relaxation from the beach house on the Maldives, booked for 4000 euros, was long gone by then...

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Legal dispute in Munich: You can reduce the travel price for a two-and-a-half-day return journey

The return journey ultimately took two and a half days – a horror trip.

"We were totally exhausted," says Nico.

He is now suing for money back.

"For the flights on the return journey, the tour operator has to reimburse a proportion of the travel price," explains his lawyer Michael Siegel.

"Due to the long delay and the lack of support from the organizer of the package tour, travel services were inadequate and not as booked and agreed."

And further: "Since in the present case there were no claims against the airline and the hotel - due to the lack of accessibility from Germany - the traveler could at least take action against the organizer for a reduction in price and compensation for damages within the framework of the package tour."

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