Champions League final: Liverpool FC fans in limbo after sports travel operator unable to secure landing slots for Kiev flights

The hotly anticipated football match sees the Reds take on Real Madrid, but fans who have paid up to £1,000 for tickets have now had to make urgent arrangements.

A statement on the Widnes-based company's website says: Dear customers, with deep regret, we have had to cancel three flights to Kiev.

"Due to so many flights going into Kiev, Kiev Borispyl has unable to allocate times for aircraft.

"We have worked extremely hard over the last 48 hours trying to resolve these issues. We have had Liverpool FC, police, UEFA and everyone at the highest levels of authority trying to resolve this.

"We have exhausted all avenues to try and get landing slots. We have had them from Liverpool airport and Manchester airport and we have applied for slots in the correct manner and time frame with the authorities.

"At this stage we can only make a huge apology and are very sorry let you down on this occasion. We will be processing full refunds of monies paid as soon as possible, starting tomorrow."

A statement by Liverpool FC said: "Liverpool Football Club is continuing to work with all of the relevant stakeholders in the UK and Ukraine in an attempt to resolve a situation which has left around 1,000 fans without flights to Kiev for the Champions League final.

"Flights chartered by World Choice Sports had been set to take supporters to Ukraine, but a dispute between the Widnes-based travel company and the aviation authorities in Kiev over the size of the aircraft has led to the trips being cancelled.

"Along with officials from Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Liverpool City Council, UEFA and the authorities in Kiev, Liverpool FC has been endeavouring to resolve the issue since it first came to light and will continue to do so until all avenues have been exhausted." 

Have you been affected by this? Let us know. Email news@chesterstandard.co.uk.