Yesterday, an IT issue saw one in ten easyJet flights cancelled and a further third delayed.
IT Issue Affects Flights
easyJet encountered difficulties with its computer systems yesterday, causing disruptions to its service across the UK. Around 200 flights were cancelled yesterday, with many more facing delays, all due to the IT issue.
Though the underlying problem has now been addressed, the airline warns that the issue could continue to affect service. “easyJet can confirm that the earlier IT systems issues have now been rectified.” the airline said in a statement, adding: “Unfortunately, they resulted in some cancellations earlier today and while we expect to operate most of our remaining flying programme some may still be subject to some disruption in the coming hours.” The airline had initially said the IT issue would affect flights departing between 13:00 and 15:00 BST but then said the disruptions could last longer.
Passengers Trapped Abroad
The flight cancellations have affected passengers in the UK and abroad, with some travellers left stranded in foreign countries after their flights were cancelled last minute. Data from UK Flight Aware shows easyJet cancelled 190 of its flights yesterday, over 10% of all of its flights scheduled to fly that day. A further 578 flights were delayed, that is, around a third of all its flights.
One passenger said their flight was cancelled only ten minutes before they were due to board. Twitter user Ana Finch posted: “don’t even bother coming to the airport, checked our bags, sent us to a gate, said our flight was boarding, then found hundreds of other passengers all being told the flights are cancelled as we were meant to board”.
Manchester Airport had nine flights cancelled, while Edinburgh and Luton Airports each saw seven flights abandoned. London airports Gatwick and Stanstead have also been affected. British Airways has faced similar IT problems earlier this year.
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