London: Blaming higher than usual levels of staff absence due to Covid, EasyJet has cancelled around 100 flights on Monday, including 62 from the UK. “To make some cancellations in advance” the airline said it had tried to offset the problem by using standby crew.
As the Easter School holidays begin, it comes amid rising demand for travel. Shortages in the number staff have led to long queues for security and check-in and hence Airports are struggling. On Monday, EasyJet, one of Europe’s biggest airlines, said the cancellations were a small part of its schedule which is around 1,645 flights.
A spokesman said “As a result of the current high rates of Covid infections across Europe, like all businesses, EasyJet is experiencing higher than usual levels of employee sickness”. He further said that “Unfortunately it has been necessary to make some additional cancellations for today and tomorrow. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.”
Customers had been contacted and could rebook on alternative flights or receive a voucher or refund according to him.
- Travellers miss flights during airport chaos
- More delays for passengers at Manchester Airport
“Do not fly EasyJet, we are stranded in Marseilles, some people due to previous cancelled flights! Flight now maybe 1 am, was due to fly at 10 pm, people in the airport are furious!” One person on Twitter wrote. Another simply said: “Cancelled our flights to Geneva too!”.
According to The Airports Operators Association (AOA), they have warned the travellers that they should expect delays if they are taking a trip at peak times and airports and airlines were hit hard during the pandemic, as many staff lost their jobs or moved into another industries.
Published By: Apoorva Wakodikar
Edited By: Khushi Thakur
