Coronavirus: Stranded Bristol DJ spends thousands on flights

Tony GoslingTony Gosling

Tony Gosling says he hopes he will be able to get on a flight next week if more are not cancelled

By Jasmine Ketibuah-Foley
Broadcast Journalist

A radio DJ stranded in New Zealand says he just wants to come home after spending thousands on cancelled flights.

Tony Gosling went on holiday to Auckland in February with Air Canada, but booked early flights home on 25 March due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

He says he has spent more than £5,000 on a credit card on flights which have then been cancelled.

The Foreign Office says it is doing all it can to get British travellers home.

A spokesman said: "The government has partnered with a number of airlines who have committed to work together to get Brits back to the UK and up to £75 million has been made available for charter flights were commercial options are no longer available."

The 58-year-old radio presenter for BCFM, a community station in Bristol, booked flights with Air New Zealand and Virgin but says he is now facing flight charges "double the price" to get home.

Mr Gosling said the British Embassy has been helpful and the local government seems to be dealing with the virus with clear guidelines.

Tony Gosling

Mr Gosling has continued broadcasting his show from New Zealand as a podcast

"I've spent over £5,000 on a credit card on cancelled flights home and if I max that out I will then have to rely on loans from the British High Commission," he said.

"The uncertainty with refunds and whether we will be able to come home has been really stressful and annoying".

The DJ continues to broadcast his show as a podcast during lockdown in New Zealand.

Mr Gosling said there was a possibility he could fly home next week and he "hopes" the flights will not get cancelled.

Air Canada has been approached for comment.

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