Aki Manninen and Rita Niemi-Manninen strongly criticized Tui’s communication regarding the handling of the holiday fiasco.
The Finns who were stuck in Cancún, Mexico for Christmas finally made it to Finland on Boxing Day after colorful stages.
Among them were entrepreneurs in the welfare sector Aki Manninen and Rita Niemi-Manninenwho strongly criticized the events during the trip on social media.
– It’s not about complaining at all, it’s about doing things in the right order. We’re not complaining, but we want to bring awareness to how Tui has acted towards 300 Finns during Christmas, Aki commented after the trip.
The couple, known from the first season of Temptation Island, had to wait for their return flight to Finland with about 300 other Finns for about three days. Originally, the return flight was supposed to land in Finland on the eve.
In particular, Manniset criticized the communication of the travel company Tui, which organized the trip.
– We are told that there is a technical fault with the plane, then there is a shortage of crew, then the crew’s scheduling, i.e. lack of sleep, and none of them were actually true when the announcement came, Aki said.
– It was about the fact that this was not handled well. The handling of the matter went completely to the bottom, Rita criticized.
Counting thousands
Matti Matikainen
Tui’s explanation for the delay of the return flight was a personnel shortage. The return flight finally took place on the plane of the Portuguese EuroAtlantic Airways.
During the three-day return rush, the family stayed at the Hilton Hotel. According to Aki, the costs caused by the delay rose to several thousands.
– If I hadn’t acted quickly with our acquaintance’s family and booked rooms at the Hilton there, we would have had to spend one night with our daughter in the lobby of the hotel.
– We understand that this is not a problem for us adults, but children are always a priority, Aki emphasized.
The journey from Mexico to Finland took about 15 hours, as the plane had to make a stopover in Lisbon. There was no first class or entertainment services on the plane.
– Water and bread were offered, but there was almost nothing to offer. You couldn’t really buy anything there, it was a bit of a special flight, Rita commented.
– The flight attendants were quite tired after coming from somewhere with a three-hour night’s sleep. One of them fell asleep a bit, and it was a bit unsafe with a small child, Aki thought.
Grandma saves Christmas
From the airport, the Mannises headed for the Christmas table at the Porin home on the island.
– Thanks to my mother, or grandma, who has cooked on the island and is waiting for us at the Christmas table, Aki thanked.
The couple’s 4-year-old was also on the trip Donna-daughter, who didn’t seem to be excited about the special Christmas at all.
– The biggest thing that money can’t replace is Donna’s Christmas and grandma, who has been waiting for her on the island. We never know if this is grandma’s last Christmas, Aki thought.
Instead of a normal Finnish Christmas, the Mannises got to spend it in 30 degree heat.
– Now we didn’t have that kind of Christmas feeling, which is usually at Christmas among loved ones, Rita regretted.
The family’s trip in Mexico was also overshadowed by the fact that the family’s long-time dog Mr. Putin died before Christmas.
– I had to give the termination decision on the plane when we were leaving. Rita cried about it for 12 hours, but that’s life, Aki said.