More than 15,000 easyJet passengers have been hit by flight cancellations due to severe weather.
The airline axed 54 flights scheduled to take off or depart from Gatwick airport on Sunday, with a further 55 grounded on Monday.
EasyJet said its operations at the West Sussex airport on Sunday night were “impacted by thunderstorm activity”, which caused a knock-on effect on Monday as aircraft and crew were out of position.
EasyJet’s website stated that cancellations were due to “poor weather conditions across the UK and Europe”, which caused “extended air traffic control restrictions to all departures and arrivals”.
The message stated that the disruption is “outside of our control and is considered to be an extraordinary circumstance”.
That means the airline will not pay flight delay compensation to affected travellers.
The operator said this was due to “urgent repairs to the track” after a set of points – which allow trains to move from one line to another – were damaged in the East Croydon area.
Too tired to describe the farce that is #easyjet @#Gatwick London. Flight cancelled from 6.10pm .. ill people on mobility scooters with carers, older people, families & babies etc stranded .. peops not entitled to food vouchers but 1 bottle water. 😠 pic.twitter.com/MTCheSeqIH
— Clare Vallely (@VallelyClare) June 11, 2023
Passengers took to Twitter to voice their frustration after their flights were cancelled.
Traveller Jayde Thompson wrote: “Total chaos in Gatwick tonight! Multiple cancelled flights, no support, no local hotels with availability, login to manage booking jammed, 2 staff on the floor
Another person added: “Too tired to describe the farce that is #easyjet @Gatwick London. Flight cancelled from 6.10pm..ill people on mobility scooters with carers, older people, families & babies etc stranded.”
Passengers travelling to or from the airport were advised to use Southern and Thameslink services, which are slower as they stop at intermediate stations.
Affected passengers are not entitled to compensation under UK consumer law as the cause of the disruption is outside the airline’s control.
But they must be offered new flight options and assistance such as food and drink, as well as overnight accommodation if required.
A spokesperson for Gatwick airport said: “Due to unsettled weather conditions and thunderstorms across the south of England and Europe yesterday, temporary air traffic restrictions were put in place, which resulted in some flights being delayed and cancelled.
“London Gatwick apologises to passengers for any inconvenience.
“Further thunderstorms are expected today, so passengers should contact their airline for further information.”
Meanwhile, Gatwick Express, which runs non-stop trains between the airport and central London, was suspended on Monday.
An easyJet spokesperson said: “Thunderstorms in the Gatwick area which restricted the number of arrivals and departures on Sunday unfortunately resulted in disruption at London Gatwick Airport, including some diversions and cancellations which is having a knock-on impact this morning as a number of aircraft are out of position.
“We are doing all possible to minimise the impact on our customers, providing those on cancelled flights with options to rebook or receive a refund as well as hotel accommodation and meals where required.
“The safety and wellbeing of customers and crew is easyJet’s highest priority and, while this is outside of our control, we would like to apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused.”
Jo Rhodes, deputy editor of consumer magazine Which? Travel, said: “Thousands of travellers will be frustrated to have had their plans thrown into disarray as a result of thunderstorms over Gatwick.
“While easyJet does not have to pay compensation for these cancellations, it must offer affected passengers the option of a refund or to be rerouted at the earliest opportunity – even if this means booking seats with a rival carrier to ensure minimal delay.
“If delayed for more than two hours, passengers will be entitled to assistance such as free meals or refreshments, and overnight accommodation if required.”
