Holiday plans were thrown into disarray for dozens of EasyJet passengers after a "technical issue" forced their flight to be delayed overnight, leaving travellers stranded at the airport with little assistance.
The budget airline confirmed that flight EZY6923 from London Gatwick to Dalaman, Turkey, was unable to depart as scheduled on Tuesday evening due to an unspecified technical problem with the aircraft.
Passenger Frustration Mounts
Angry passengers reported being left without adequate accommodation or meal vouchers during the extended delay. "We were given a £6 food voucher at midnight - good luck finding anything open at Gatwick at that time," one frustrated traveller told reporters.
Another passenger described the situation as "complete chaos", adding: "There were elderly people and young children sleeping on the floor. EasyJet's customer service was non-existent."
Airline Response
In a statement, EasyJet said: "We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused to customers on flight EZY6923. The safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority, and the delay was necessary to resolve a technical issue."
The airline confirmed the flight eventually departed the following afternoon, nearly 18 hours behind schedule. Affected passengers are being contacted regarding compensation claims under EU Regulation 261/2004, which mandates payments for significant delays.
Travel Expert Advice
Consumer rights specialists recommend that affected passengers:
- Keep all receipts for additional expenses
- Document the delay with photos and written accounts
- Submit compensation claims promptly
- Consider travel insurance for future protection
This incident comes amid a challenging summer for air travel, with several airlines facing operational difficulties and staffing shortages across UK airports.
