A Derker family were left out of pocket after a three-day ordeal led to the cost of their package holiday – the family’s first since the pandemic began – doubling.

Michael Tierney was travelling with his partner Amy MacDonald and their three children, Darcey Tierney-MacDonald, aged nine, Corey Tierney-MacDonald, aged 14, and Ralphie Tierney-MacDonald, aged nine months.

They had stayed at the Noxinn Deluxe Hotel in Alanya.

The family’s flight back to Manchester was meant to take off on Tuesday, May 31.

On their way to Antalya Airport, a three-and-a-half-hour coach ride, son Corey joked about the flight getting cancelled – but dad Michael reassured him that they would not cancel their flight home without warning them in advance.

After arriving at the airport and making their way to the airport, the family were eventually informed the flight was cancelled.

The next flight from the airport wasn’t until three days later – on Friday, June 3.

Michael said: “The flight just said ‘cancelled.’

“We tried finding someone from EasyJet, but there was no-one there – just third party companies selling flights.

“The app said we could change our flight – but there were no flights showing for 10 days.”

After getting his mother-in-law to call EasyJet from the UK, they found out seats were available on a flight from Dalaman airport – a three-and-a-half-hour drive away which would mean the family group of five getting split up.

Adding to the stress, nine-month-old Ralphie fell ill with chickenpox while on holiday and ended up passing out in Antalya airport.

Michael ended up paying for a hotel out of his own pocket and booked a new flight through carrier Pegasus Airlines.

Michael said: “We were fortunate to have some money to book a new flight – but three days later when I returned to the airport, there were still people there that I had seen three days ago.”

Michael booked the holiday through package holiday company On the Beach, which advertises "great-value beach holidays for any budget".

On the Beach told The Oldham Times it was EasyJet’s responsibility to reimburse Michael and arrange alternative accommodation.

Michael says the ensuing chaos meant his holiday cost double what he originally paid.

He added: “All I want is the money back that I’ve spent – I’m not bothered by compensation or anything like that, it’s just the money I’ve spent out of my own pocket.

“It’s doubled the cost of my holiday.”

An EasyJet spokesperson said: “We are very sorry that flight EZY1822 from Antalya to Manchester on 31 May was cancelled.

“We notified customers directly of their options to rebook or receive and refund and offered to provide hotel accommodation and meals where required.

“Nonetheless we fully understand the disruption this will have caused to their plans and we are very sorry for this.

“Our team have reached out to Mr Tierney to apologise for his experience and to reimburse him and his family for their expenses."

A spokesperson from On the Beach said: “We're sorry to hear about Mr Tierney's experience following the late cancellation of his EasyJet flight. We have spoken to Mr Tierney and are processing a full flight refund in line with EU Regulations.”