Airlines EasyJet and British Airways have moved to cancel more than 100 flights from London as travel carnage threatens to ruin Easter holiday plans.
Flights have been grounded at London Gatwick and Heathrow airports with large queues expected throughout Wednesday after severe disruptions reported all week.
British Airways cancelled 78 flights to and from Heathrow after reducing its schedule until the end of May to boost reliability after suspending several routes altogether during the pandemic.
EasyJet has cancelled at least 30 flights from Gatwick Airport on Wednesday ruining trips for passengers looking to travel to Amsterdam, Krakow, Bologna and Berlin.
The rate of staff absences at EasyJet is around double normal levels.
It comes during a week of travel carnage which saw queues lasting for more than three hours to check in.
Airports are also struggling from the combination of staff shortages and a spike in demand as many families head abroad for the school Easter holiday, which is the first since the UK’s coronavirus restrictions for international travellers were dropped.
The situation could worsen this weekend as airports will be used by travellers returning from trips during the first week of the break, and those departing for the second week of the school holiday.
Manchester Airport managing director Karen Smart resigned on Tuesday after weeks of disruption for passengers.
Travellers have faced long delays and chaotic scenes, with queues trailing outside terminals to reach check-in desks and hordes of people waiting to get through security and to pick up luggage.
Piles of suitcases have been left in terminals after travellers abandoned the wait to reclaim their baggage and instead left for home.
Passengers have also reported long queues at Heathrow and Birmingham airports.
