All white on the night for couple after air fiasco

Published on Monday 15 September 2008 10:10

AN Edinburgh architect who found himself stranded 1600 miles from his bride-to-be amid the collapse of XL Airways was due to be married today after a mad dash to the altar.

Tens of thousands of passengers were left stranded after the tour operator went into administration on Friday.

Among them was 49-year-old Robert Chalmers, lead architect at the Thirlestane Road based Kenneth Reid architects, who was due to be married on the Greek island of Skopelos.

However, the collapse of XL looked set to leave fiance Rachel Farey, 45, business manager at ethical trading company One World Shop based at St John's Church on Princes Street, alone in Greece. Thankfully, the Civil Aviation Authority, forced to clear up the mess left by XL's collapse, was able to find Mr Chalmers an alternative flight out with Swiss Air.

He said: "It's fabulous – I'm so happy. The day started as a nightmare but I can finally relax. We spent 3000 on flights and thought we would probably have lost it all."