Thousands of holidaymakers faced chaotic scenes at airports as EasyJet canceled numerous flights due to severe weather conditions. The airline grounded 54 flights at Gatwick Airport on
Sunday, with an additional 55 flights canceled on Monday. Unpredictable weather patterns caused by hot temperatures and a wave of weather warnings were cited as the reasons for the disruptions. Passengers found themselves stranded, with some forced to sleep at the airports overnight. Frustrated travelers took to social media to express their dissatisfaction and demand answers from the airline.
One passenger described the situation as "total chaos" at Gatwick Airport, highlighting multiple canceled flights, lack of support, and overwhelmed staff. EasyJet apologized for the inconvenience caused and attributed the disruptions to thunderstorms in the Gatwick area, which limited the number of arrivals and departures. The airline assured affected passengers that they were working to minimize the impact by offering rebooking options, refunds, and providing hotel accommodation and meals when necessary.
Under UK consumer law, affected passengers are not entitled to compensation as the disruption was caused by factors beyond the airline's control. However, EasyJet is obligated to offer alternative flight options, assistance, and support, including food, drinks, and overnight accommodation. Gatwick Airport also apologized for any inconvenience caused by the unsettled weather conditions and thunderstorms, advising passengers to contact their respective airlines for further information.
In addition to the flight cancellations, Gatwick Express, the non-stop train service between the airport and central London, was suspended due to urgent repairs to damaged track infrastructure. Passengers were advised to use alternative services, albeit slower ones, such as Southern and Thameslink.
The disruptions left thousands of travelers frustrated and their plans in disarray, highlighting the challenges faced during unpredictable weather events. Photo by Biggerben, Wikimedia commons.