Helios passengers on way back to Ireland

Two hundred passengers who were stranded at Larnaca Airport are now on their way to Ireland.

Their Helios Airways flight was due to leave Cyprus at seven yesterday morning, but was cancelled.

The airline grounded its entire fleet for testing, following the plane crash in Athens one week ago.

Two jets were chartered to fly beleaguered holidaymakers home. Handling agents said the first was now in the air and due back in Dublin before 8pm today.