Ambassador sees off homebound Brits

“We are doing our best to look after UK nationals and I wanted to take the opportunity to talk to people about their experiences and problems over the past five days,” Andrew Mitchell told The Local on Wednesday.

The ambassador encouraged all those stranded in Stockholm to keep in close contact with their airlines who have the primary responsibility for offering help.

“We are continually updating information on the embassy website and would encourage people to contact us in the incidence of an emergency, especially those with medical issues,” Mitchell said.

While it is unknown just how many Brits remain stranded in the Swedish capital, the embassy has fielded around 200 calls since Monday.

“We are working to organise some coaches to take UK nationals to the English Channel ports and the government has secured an extra 20,000 places on Eurostar trains and ferries to get people home,” the ambassador said, while emphasising that the plans were as yet not finalized.

When asked whether the departure of the first British Airways flight from Arlanda since the aviation problems began last week signified a beginning of the end to the chaos, Andrew Mitchell urged caution.

“It is very difficult to say as the situation is very much subject to change. The British authorities have today deemed that the density of ash over the UK makes it okay to fly, but it is difficult to ascertain any stable position.”