Easy Jet - cancellations at Gatwick

[TizerorFizz]

Huge number of flights cancelled at Gatwick - again. Poor management of flights and thousands of disappointed customers. Surely it’s time to avoid this airline? They are blaming air traffic control. So not their fault! Everyone else is getting most flights away. Will you get away in time?

There are significant problems with air traffic control and air space capacity all over Europe.

Gatwick is almost at capacity without any ATC strikes, which there are expected to be this summer. Gatwick has a single runway and is ridiculously busy given this, one of the busiest single runway airports in the world. It is where EasyJet operates the most number of flights and EasyJet is the biggest operator there (I think about half the flights at Gatwick are EasyJet flights) so issues at Gatwick were always going to be big problems for EasyJet.

Saying that, there has been widespread disruption and cancellations since travel re-started after Covid. This has been worsened in Europe by the strikes, particularly those in France, by the loss of workforce that occurred during Covid and by the reduction in European airspace due to the war in Ukraine.

Both me and DH fly extensively for work, we have had flight schedule changes or cancellations with all types of airlines most with automatic re-booking onto the next flight - EasyJet, KLM, AerLingus, British Airways, Lufthansa, Wizz Air, all in the last 6 months off the top of my head.

I think the pattern of airlines making these cancellations or schedule changes just ahead of the two week compensation window is becoming more common, from my experience, but I have no real data to support this. I think it is a symptom of the fact the air travel systems in Europe are not coping with the current level of demand. I’m not sure we can expect that to improve in the short term.

The news last night is that, at the moment, it’s Easy Jet only cancelling shed loads of flights. It’s not all the others. Yes, they are having a few cancellations but EJ is not offering alternatives.

We were due to fly EJ on Friday, pick up a car, and then drive around 3 countries, stopping at 7 places. Our flight was canceled yesterday with no alternative offered. It's a huge pain to rebook something that was planned in January.

You’re entitled to a compensation for this cancellation
they should have rebooked you or offered you to get rebooked. Even with a different airline

That’s the risk you take with cheap airlines? Doesn’t need avoided, fills a service.

Easyjet has already rebooked over 90% of the passengers whose flights have been cancelled.

I still trust Easyjet slightly more than Ryanair, who still haven't compensated me for a 7 hour delay a year ago.

Yes as PP says, you are definitely entitled to compensation. Flight sourcing and booking is a big part of my work, PM if you’d like advice about your specific destination and options.

Thanks @EasterIssland and @cherryassam, I will look into compensation. Dh booked the flights so he has the information but I may pm you, thanks for for offering to help.

We live overseas and don't watch a lot of local news, so didn't know that EJ had all these problems.

I am surprised that EJ has booked over 90% of people affected. Where are these flights? Can you provide more information please @Chersfrozenface
The flights that would work for us are significantly more expensive and instead of a direct 3 hour flight are 18 hours or so. Not ideal.

The news also said EJ were not offering compensation as air traffic issues were not their fault. They are not offering compensation at present. It’s worth actually reading the reports and also understand what should happen, is not happening. That’s the story! Their early and late departures/arrivals are affected.

It sounds like @LemonLimeWater’s flights are not part of the cancellations from Gatwick if I’ve understood correctly, therefore may not be due to the air traffic issues. Finding out the reason for the cancellation is key.

The fact that it’s less than 7 days before departure also makes a difference to the amount of potential compensation.

I have read the reports. The issues around air traffic control delays are real and they are particularly impactful at Gatwick, which affects EasyJet more than any other airline, and particularly impactful for airlines with tight schedules, like EasyJet and the other budget airlines.

EasyJet have their issues and obviously we can’t know for certain if they are trying to cover up internal issues with ‘excuses’ about air traffic control, but there are real and documented issues with air traffic control and air space at the moment. There are also valid reasons why EasyJet might be particularly affected.

I don’t agree that EasyJet needs to be completely avoided personally. I will not be surprised if we see similar flight cancellations or schedule changes from other airlines across the summer.

Thanks @Chersfrozenface we were due to fly from Gatwick, dh has the email so I will check with him about a reason.
We have actually decided to drive as there are so few options, and none that work. I feel like this will be a very different vacation than the one I had planned! 😬

I'm really worried now as due to fly with easyJet from Gatwick on 4th August.....

If you haven't already been contacted, your flight is likely to be still scheduled.

But you can always log on to the Easyjet site and check with your booking number. (I did that for my flights in September as soon as I read the news story - all OK so far.)

This may be helpful for some of you
easyJet cancels 1,700 flights: Your rights if your easyJet Gatwick flight this summer is cancelled | The Independent

I think people going on holidays in the school holidays will be affected. I think it’s not going to be great for many. East jet seem to be diminishing the market so everyone will pay more. Who, honestly, wants all this hassle? Different flights. Arriving late. Flights cancelled. Holiday fun it isn’t.