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 because of storms, with a further 55 grounded on Monday.
Gatwick warned that more storms are expected today.
An easyJet spokeswoman 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.”
Affected passengers are not entitled to compensation under UK consumer law as the cause of the disruption is outside the airline’s control.
A Gatwick airport spokeswoman 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.
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.
Passengers travelling to or from the airport were advised to use Southern and Thameslink services, which are slower as they stop at intermediate stations.
One of those passengers affected was Jayne Thompson, who described the scenes at the airport as “total chaos”.
She wrote on Twitter: “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 swamped by 1000s of panicking travellers Totally unacceptable.”
Maurice Clark’s family members were also affected.
He tweeted: “My daughter is in Lanzarote and has just been informed that her flight (18:35 to Gatwick) has been cancelled.
“What’s going on? She is struggling to get any further info. She is now stuck there, with no accommodation and needs to get back, due to work commitments.”
Meanwhile, Helen Rusman said her holiday had been “ruined” by the cancellations.
She wrote to the airline: “My summer plans are now ruined for 6 people as you have cancelled our 9am flight from Gatwick to Rome this morning for our cruise, really unacceptable.”
Meanwhile these are the dates of Heathrow airport strikes that could cancel more flights this summer.
And strikes in France have also affected flights already this summer, even some not even flying in and out of the country.
