Scores of British holidaymakers are stranded at Palma de Mallorca Airport after a series of flight cancellations caused by air traffic control restrictions linked to adverse weather across Europe. The disruptions have left many families unable to return from half-term breaks on the Balearic island.
EasyJet and other carriers have been forced to ground flights due to conditions described as outside the airlines' control. The cancellations follow warnings from Ryanair's chief executive, Michael O'Leary, who criticised 'shoddy air traffic control services' and predicted unprecedented delays this summer.
Among those affected is Beth Rafferty, 31, from Hastings, East Sussex. She and her partner, Lewis Chapman, 26, were due to fly to London Gatwick with their two children on a Sunday evening, but received an email minutes before boarding saying their easyJet flight was cancelled due to air traffic control restrictions caused by poor weather in northern Europe.
Rafferty said that although fewer than ten flights were cancelled, the knock-on effect delayed over 120 flights. She and her family were forced to spend £300 on a last-minute hotel and an additional £1,500 on Jet2 tickets to ensure their children could return to Bournemouth without missing more school days.
An easyJet spokesperson said: '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, providing options to rebook or refund flights as well as hotel accommodation and meals for those who required them.' The spokesperson added that safety is the airline's highest priority and apologised for the inconvenience.
