The Ryanair flight from Bologna was scheduled to arrive in Cagliari at 3:40 PM. But at that time, a severe weather bubble engulfed southern Sardinia, forcing the flight to be diverted to Alghero. And for passengers , a day of intense excitement and significant disruption began.
Initially, after landing, everyone was sent a text message from the airline, promising that a bus transfer to the capital would be arranged . But shortly thereafter, another message arrived: "Update," it read, "We regret to inform you that, due to a shortage of available buses, we are currently unable to arrange further transfers. Please make your own arrangements and retain all receipts. You can request reimbursement for any expenses incurred." A link followed.
It was pointless to ask the airline staff at Riviera del Corallo for help: they had no answers. The only bus to Alghero was mobbed. "There were no taxis, not even chauffeured cars," says Romina Di Giovanni, an employee who was on board. Hours later, she found a ride, "but it was a kind of hitchhiking. In the evening, there were still people at the airport who didn't know where they would sleep."
Finding available accommodation on the August bank holiday could have been a daunting task: "In any case, it's unacceptable that the company didn't provide even the slightest assistance. I'm with a nine-year-old girl; we were abandoned. And even the police refused to accept my complaint."
