First of stranded trainee pilots to begin journey home today

The first of 34 stranded Irish trainee pilots are due to make their way home from Florida today.

According to today's Irish Independent, at least two are expected to arrive by tomorrow and the majority of others are looking to book Tuesday flights as emotions continue to run high.

With both the Waterford-based Pilot Training College and Florida Institute of Technology are continuing to dispute the cause of the course's termination, students are said to be struggling to cope.

They now have to buy expensive flights home as well as spending more than €120 in taxi fares to Orlando Airport from their base in Florida.

The students says they have been left without any support or assistance.

Yesterday, PTC revealed it had run into financial difficulty because of costs incurred due to the slow pace of training.

The students have paid up to €85,000 each in fees.