Stranded Brit flies home

MANILA, Philippines - The British racehorse jockey who had been stranded at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Pasay City finally left for London yesterday.

Gary Peter Austin, 52, a resident of England, left the country on an Emirates Air flight via Dubai.

Austin stayed at the airport’s departure lobby for 25 days after his Gulf Air ticket to Kuwait was allegedly cancelled by his travel agency last Dec. 19.

Austin arrived in the country last Nov. 29.

The British national said the Air and Odor Management in Panay Avenue, Quezon City headed by Jeroen Van Straten paid for his plane ticket back to London.

Austin also thanked NAIA Terminal 1 manager Dante Basanta and other airport personnel, particularly Maria Hannah Bulabon, a janitress, who leaked his story to media in the hope that somebody would help him.

Austin said that he will never forget his experience at the NAIA.

“Thank you all, Filipinos are very wonderful people and I will never forget what you’ve done to me,” he told The STAR.

He added that he will support Bulabon and her 10-year-old son.