Passengers were left in tears after an Aer Lingus flight from Manchester to New York was cancelled moments before departure, despite the aircraft later flying to JFK with only crew on board. The airline cited 'ongoing weather disruption' across North America, but affected travellers claim staff told them the cancellation was due to crew refusing to fly because of the snowstorm.
Flight EI045 was scheduled to depart at 2.15pm on Saturday, January 24, but was delayed by 55 minutes before being cancelled. The plane eventually left at 5.29pm to collect passengers waiting at JFK, leaving Manchester ticket-holders stranded. New York had been hit by nearly a foot of snow in what local media described as 'the biggest storm in five years', with states of emergency declared in multiple states.
Passenger Leanne Rimmer, travelling with her two children and a friend, said staff at the gate claimed the delay was due to a staffing issue and that crew did not want to get stuck in New York as they would not be paid. After the cancellation, the group lost £1,100 on non-refundable tickets for a New York Knicks game and a Broadway show, though their £4,500 holiday was refunded by Thomas Cook. Ms Rimmer, a self-employed laser hair removal clinician, said she also lost income from missed appointments.
Another passenger, Robert Chappell, was due to celebrate his 40th birthday in New York with his wife Hannah. He said they were told at the gate that some crew did not want to fly due to the weather. Hannah burst into tears at the announcement. The couple had booked time off work and non-refundable Broadway tickets. Mr Chappell expressed disbelief that Aer Lingus blamed the snowstorm when the plane flew to New York without them.
Aer Lingus said it 'sincerely regrets the cancellation' and reiterated that weather disruption affected the schedule. JFK airport issued a travel advisory warning of severe winter weather and advising passengers to check with their airline. Many flights at JFK were cancelled or delayed.
