EasyJet, Britain’s largest budget airline, has grounded 180,000 passengers for flights scheduled in July, August, and September, citing unprecedented air traffic control delays at Gatwick Airport. The airline claims that these delays are three times longer than before the pandemic. While 95% of affected passengers have been rebooked on other easyJet flights, 9,000 passengers are currently without a replacement flight. However, passengers have criticized easyJet’s rebooking process, which has resulted in 18,000 travelers being assigned to different departure dates.
Under European air passengers’ rights rules, if a flight is canceled, individuals should be offered a flight on the original day of travel if there are available seats on any airline. One passenger, Jenny Chan, experienced significant disruption after easyJet rebooked her journey from Glasgow to Marseille via Gatwick. Originally, she had booked a nonstop flight, which was canceled earlier in the year. Ms. Chan accepted a one-stop journey, but easyJet changed the second leg to a day earlier, making the trip impossible. Passengers who choose to accept a rebooking to a different date can claim additional accommodation and meal costs from easyJet.
The Independent has discovered cases where passengers were rebooked on connecting flights with easyJet through other European airports. According to air passengers’ rights, these individuals are entitled to a direct flight if one is available with any carrier. Consequently, easyJet’s recent seat sale received mockery on social media, with one traveler stating that they would switch to Jet2, a carrier that has a better track record of not canceling flights.
The CEO of Advantage Travel Partnership, Julia Lo Bue-Said, expressed concern over the impact on families and individuals who were eagerly anticipating their summer plans. Last-minute flight searches are not feasible for those affected, exacerbating the difficulties.
EasyJet maintains that it is fully crewed and has more pilots and cabin crew members than ever. However, air traffic control delays have significantly impacted Gatwick Airport. On Saturday alone, the airline grounded over 40 flights at Gatwick, affecting more than 6,000 passengers. In comparison, rival airlines at the same airport canceled eight departures and arrivals on the same day. On Sunday, additional easyJet departures were canceled, including flights to popular Spanish holiday destinations such as Barcelona, Alicante, and Malaga. Passengers waiting for the last Belfast International flight and a flight back to London from Budapest also had their trips canceled while waiting at the gate.
While both Ryanair and made no cancellations at London Stansted Airport over the weekend, easyJet appears to be facing more pressure at Gatwick, the world’s busiest single-runway airport. Since June 28, easyJet’s daily late-evening departure from Gatwick to Palma de Mallorca, Flight 8091, has been canceled more often than not.
According to a spokesperson from easyJet, the airline operates around 1,800 flights and carries approximately 250,000 customers per day. The industry is currently grappling with unprecedented air traffic control delays and potential strike actions, necessitating adjustments to flight schedules. EasyJet apologizes for any inconvenience caused and assures affected customers that 95% have been rebooked or offered a refund.
Aviation consultant Paul Charles emphasizes the need for improved planning and delivery by airlines to avoid last-minute cancellations and inconveniences for customers. The scale of these cancellations could result in easyJet losing future summer slots at Gatwick Airport, as airport slot permissions are awarded on a “use it or lose it” basis. However, during the previous summer, the government permitted airlines to retain slots despite numerous cancellations by easyJet and British Airways.
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