The coronavirus pandemic has caused havoc around the world and no travel company on the planet is likely to have escaped its torment in some capacity, but one other thing they all have in common is the duty of care they have for their guests. This is certainly true for the Holiday Property Bond (HPB) who have worked tirelessly to ensure that the vast majority of their Bondholders were returned back to the UK from their 15 overseas destinations before the closing of international flight routes, all except for 10 who were stuck in Turkey including a number of senior citizens. 

With very little choice other than the torturous multi-day journey, as currently advised by the FCO, through numerous countries including a layover in Minsk with no guarantee of an onward UK bound flight, HPB felt that the only suitable option to get this group of travellers, all of whom were over 60 with some in the eighties and some of fragile health, home to their families quickly and safely was to charter their own small plane.

On Friday 3rd April 2020, after meticulous planning and dedicated work from the team in the UK, the HPB chartered flight travelled from England to Izmir, Turkey where it met the stranded travellers and turned immediately for home. Within 4 hours, all 10 on board were landing at the private jet centre at Stansted airport and safely making their way home. HPB will now work with the rescued holidaymakers and their insurance providers to investigate recovery of the costs of the charter.

HPB's Managing Director, James Boyce offered,

“The safety and comfort of our bondholders has always, and will always be our main priority. In the unusual circumstances surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic and the daily changes to travel advice and bans it was essential that we found a way to return our bondholders as quickly as possible. I am hugely impressed by the team's diligence and commitment to this situation and am pleased that all 10 made it home safely.”

-ENDS-

For further information please contact the team at Peel+Williams: Jonathan Williams jonathan@peelwilliams.com or Kathryn Peel kathryn@peelwilliams.com

Notes to editors:

Established in 1983, The Holiday Property Bond (a life assurance bond) offers its bondholders the chance to enjoy fantastic holidays in some of the world's most breath-taking locations including a castle on the Pembrokeshire coast, a French chateau, luxury villas in southern Spain and a picture-perfect palazzo in Tuscany.

HPB is an investment product. It is subject to charges, capital is at risk, you may not be able to cash in during the first two years and will not get back the full amount invested.

HPB Management Limited (HPBM) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is the main UK agent and the property manager for HPB, issued by HPB Assurance Limited (HPBA) registered on the Isle of Man and authorised by the Financial Services Authority there. The trustee of HPB is HSBC Trustee (C.I.) Limited registered at HSBC House, Esplanade, St Helier, Jersey, JE1 1GT.  The securities manager is Stanhope Capital LLP of 35 Portman Square, London, W1H 6LR.

Holders of policies issued by HPBA will not be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme if the company becomes unable to meet its liabilities to them but Isle of Man compensation arrangements apply to new policies. No medical examination required. HPB is available exclusively through HPBM who will only charge for their services if you invest. HPBM promotes only HPB and is not independent of HPBA.