TRAVEL CHAOS
Brits stranded in Spain as easyJet cancels scores of flights over ATC restrictions
Plus, Ryanair revealed it was suing UK air traffic control HQ for £5million after work-from-home engineer ruined 700,000 traveller’s plans
HUNDREDS of Brits have been left stranded at an airport after their flights were cancelled due to "air traffic control restrictions".
Families trying to return after their half-term break found that their flights were off due to poor weather in Europe.
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The delays saw Brits flying with easyJet and other airlines stuck at Majorca Palma airport after restrictions were imposed which were "outside [the airline's] control".
This comes days after Ryanair's CEO, Michael O'Leary, complained of "shoddy ATC services" which he warned would cause record flight delays in summer 2025.
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Beth Rafferty, 31, and her family were among the hundreds of Brits who were unable to fly back to Gatwick on June 1.
The mum, from Hastings, East Sussex, was due to fly home with her partner, Lewis Chapman, 26, and their children, eight and 10.
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She says more than 120 flights were delayed, but it is understood less than 10 were cancelled.
They were about to board their 7pm easyJet flight when they were emailed to say it was cancelled due "air traffic control (ATC) restrictions".
However it has since been confirmed that the "restrictions" were as a result of poor weather across Northern Europe.
The family were told: "We're sorry that your flight has been cancelled.
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"This is due to air traffic control restrictions (...).
"The disruption to your flight is outside of our control and is considered to be an extraordinary circumstance."
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Beth added that loads of families were stuck in the airport - and they had to book emergency accommodation at a hotel last night.
The family were also unable to get an alternative easyJet flight quickly.
They have now paid £1,500 to fly home by Jet2 so that their children don't miss any more school time.
Beth, an insurance system administrator, added: "We have managed to get a flight to Bournemouth - but not to our original destination.
"Lots of people have ended up flying to Belfast or Liverpool instead of London, we've been fortunate.
"Apparently there was an air traffic control issue. As far as I'm aware, all the flights cancelled have been easyJet.
"The only information provided is the air traffic control issue.
"We've been sat watching loads of other flights from other airlines land and take off, so we're not sure why."
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YET another day of travel chaos - and again, the failure of Air Traffic Control teams across Europe is to blame.
It’s no wonder Ryanair have been so vocal about the issue - their low-cost model relies on keeping to punishingly tight schedules to make the most of every plane and crew.
Put simply, when delays occur, airlines pay the price. And the costs are significant.
And it's all the more frustrating for passengers and airlines if the delays are completely out of their control.
Staffing issues and constant strikes at multiple European Air Traffic Control centres - including those in the UK - seem to be getting worse.
Plans to modernise UK airspace were announced this week that should eventually lead to less delays and fewer emissions but until we see correctly staffed ATC centres, these are all in vain.
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According to Beth, around six other easyJet flights due to return to the UK in the same 7pm timeslot as them were also cancelled.
She said: "We've been told by someone at the airport front desk we won't be compensated for the new flights.
"But we might get the money back for the accommodation.
"I rang the children's school to explain it and it doesn't look like we'll get a fine."
The family flew home lunchtime on Monday, so the children could be at their desks the next day.
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An easyJet spokesperson commented: "Unfortunately, due to the impact of widespread thunderstorms across Northern Europe yesterday, some flights were unable to operate as planned.
"We did all we could to minimise the impact of the weather disruption on our customers, providing options to rebook or a refund their flights as well as providing hotel accommodation and meals for these who required them.
"The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is easyJet's highest priority and while this was outside of our control, we are sorry for the inconvenience caused."
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Yesterday, Ryanair's O'Leary shared that he expects delays to get worse this summer.
Plus, in April, Ryanair revealed it was suing UK air traffic control HQ for £5million after work-from-home engineer ruined 700,000 traveller’s plans.
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