Flights cancelled LIVE: BA cancels MORE trips leaving Brits’ summer plans in RUINS; plus easyJet, TUI & Ryanair latest
TENS of thousands of passengers are anticipating turmoil this summer as airlines prepare to announce a new wave of cancellations.
On Friday, it was reported that EasyJet is already cancelling thousands of flights this summer due to staff shortages.
The airline has said: “The vast majority of customers’ flights will not be impacted and of those that are, the majority of customers will be re-booked within 24 hours.
“We will be notifying affected customers directly in the coming days with information on their alternative flight or the option to rebook or receive a refund.”
British Airways has also cancelled several flights, sparked by an amnesty on take-off and landing slots.
It previously intended to carry 1.8 million passengers across more than 9,000 flights from Heathrow during July alone.
Read our live flight delays blog below for the latest information...
Strike action is ‘poorly supported’, claims Ryanair spokesperson
A spokesperson from airline Ryanair told the Sun Online that they still expect to operate a full schedule this weekend and that the strikes were “poorly supported”.
They said: “Ryanair expects to operate a full schedule to/from Spain this weekend (30thJune, 1st July & 2nd July) despite minor and poorly supported labour strikes in Spain.”
In pictures: Discarded luggage fills Heathrow Airport
Traveling this weekend was disastrous for many, but non more so than those who had their bags thrown to the wayside at Heathrow airport.
This occurred due to understaffing and a technical fault with the airport’s fuelling system, leading to massive delays.
Adam Kent, who arrived at Heathrow from Florida, described the scenes as “chaos.”
He said: (There was) lost luggage everywhere, stacked between baggage belts everyone stepping over it and no one doing anything about it.
“Being brutally honest, it looks like a serious health and safety issue.
“No one visible on the ground to explain the carnage or sort out the mess, it seems like lots of luggage has not arrived with passengers and just been dumped.”
Ryanair steward admits to drinking on the job
Sam Thompson, 26, was reported by a witness while on a flight from Poland to the UK.
The Cheshunt native was seen drinking a bottle of Jack Daniels while on the job.
The witness described the scene, claiming Thompson was “necking the whole bottle.”
He is due to be sentenced next month.
How do you cancel an easyJet flight?
To cancel an easyJet flight, you need to go to the easyJet website.
Go to the Manage Bookings section and use your surname and booking reference to log in, and then choose the flight reservation you wish to cancel and click “Cancel”.
If you are asked to pay a cancellation fee, you can do so by entering your card payment details – and your flight should now be cancelled.
Alternatively, customers can call the easyJet customer service team on 0330 365 5000.
You can also cancel flights at an easyJet Help Desk at most airports – but this must be under two hours before take-off.
If your flight is cancelled due to a coronavirus travel ban or the Foreign Office advises against travel to your destination, you will be fully refunded.
But if you choose not to fly due to personal safety concerns and the flight does go ahead, you are not entitled to your money back.
Airlines underestimated Brits eagerness to travel
Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey today told Sky News: “Airports and airlines released a lot of people after the furlough scheme had come to an end.
“Perhaps they did not anticipate the desire for people to get out of the country.
“It matters that airlines have confidence flights can be delivered and passengers know well in advance if their flights is cancelled. “
EasyJet boss QUITS amid travel chaos
EasyJet’s chief operating officer Peter Bellew has resigned as the airline faces more cancellations and strike action.
Bellew has reportedly resigned to pursue “other business opportunities.”
This weekend, the Luton-based airline was brought to a standstill by strike action, as workers seek fairer pay and better treatment in the workplace.
EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren said: “I would like to thank Peter for his hard work and wish him well.
“Everyone at easyJet remains absolutely focused on delivering a safe and reliable operation this summer.”
EasyJet set for further strikes this month
Strikes hit EasyJet flights this weekend, and more are on the way.
Following this weekend’s action, further strikes will then take place between the 15th and 17th, and finally between the 29th and 31st.
Last month an easyJet spokesperson said they still aimed to run all their flights despite strikes, but this looks to be impossible.
They said: “We are extremely disappointed with this action as we have made considerable progress towards a new collective labour agreement and so would like to continue a constructive dialogue with them.
“Should the industrial action go ahead there could be some disruption to our flying programme to and from Málaga, Palma and Barcelona during the strike period.
“However, at this stage, easyJet plans to operate its full schedule and we would like to reassure customers that we will do everything possible to minimise any disruption.”
Fire and rehire to blame for travel CHAOS, claims expert
An expert has noted that Covid, and the policies adopted by airlines during the pandemic, are to blame for the current situation.
During 2020, many airlines sacked their workers, before trying to rehire them at lower wages, this as caused many airports to be short staffed.
Express.co.uk reports that he said during an interview with BBC Breakfast: “Really interesting. Speaking to BBC North West Tonight Chris Woodroofe said that effectively, ‘you are not going to have as good an experience this summer as you did in 2019 before the pandemic’.”
Simon added: “Simply, the airport is overstretched.”
He later said: “Covid has come back to haunt us as the BBC has reported, lots more cases of Covid and that is now hitting staff numbers not just in the UK but Lufthansa making loads of cancellations in Germany and to and from the UK because so many of their staff are calling in sick.”
Will I get my money back if I cancel my flight?
If a refund is due, the company says it will refund the card the booking was made under.
This should arrive in three to four days, but can take 28 days. You are advised to contact easyJet if it takes longer and you have 12 months to request a refund.
If you do not fly for any reason, you are entitled to money back from government flight taxes.
From the UK, these are £13 per flight for over-16s on all routes – except for Egypt, Jordan and Israel which is £80.
Why has Peter Bellew quit as EasyJet COO?
The airline announced that Bellew had stood down "to pursue other business opportunities".
His exit comes after thousands of flights were cancelled, with many on the day the flights were due to depart.
Airports in the UK have been experiencing travel chaos, primarily due to staff shortages, and the processing time for getting security clearance for new hires.
On Friday, July 1, 2022, it was reported that EasyJet was cancelling thousands of flights this summer due to staff shortages.
Who is Peter Bellew?
Peter Bellew is the former COO of budget airline EasyJet.
He joined the company in July 2019 from rival company Ryanair.
On Monday, July 4, 2022, the British carrier announced that he had resigned on Friday, July 1, 2022.
The company has appointed David Morgan as interim chief operating officer (COO).
Morgan has been at the firm since 2016, and will report directly to its CEO, Johan Lundgren.
Lundgren said: "I would like to thank Peter for his hard work and wish him well.
"Everyone at easyJet remains absolutely focused on delivering a safe and reliable operation this summer."
On the appointment of Morgan in the interim role, he said: "David has significant experience and deep knowledge of the business and operation and will provide strong leadership for the airline this summer."
Shares in the low-cost carrier have fallen back to lows seen at the start of the Covid pandemic in March 2020.
Exclusive - Brit tourist, 18, faces huge £50k bill after hoax bomb threat on easyJet flight
A BRITISH teenager could face a huge £50,000 bill after he allegedly made a bomb threat onboard an easyJet flight to Menorca.
The security alert prompted Spain to dispatch a F18 fighter jet to escort the flight Airbus A319 yesterday before the 18-year-old was arrested on the runway.
It has now emerged that the Brit holidaymaker could face a huge compensation bill as well as several civil and criminal charges.
Aviation expert Julian Bray, told The Sun the Spanish military had scrabbled its "Top Gun" fighter jet at a huge cost for the airline.
"They are on constant alert, but the cost of scrambling an aircraft, plus the cost of fuel, would be anything over £50,000, possibly more."
EasyJet boss QUITS amid travel chaos
EasyJet’s chief operating officer Peter Bellew has resigned as the airline faces more cancellations and strike action.
Bellew has reportedly resigned to pursue “other business opportunities.”
This weekend, the Luton-based airline was brought to a standstill by strike action, as workers seek fairer pay and better treatment in the workplace.
EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren said: “I would like to thank Peter for his hard work and wish him well.
“Everyone at easyJet remains absolutely focused on delivering a safe and reliable operation this summer.”
Best ways to track YOUR flights
As travel CHAOS hits the UK, seeing flights cancelled across the country, it is important you know which flights are set to go ahead and which aren't.
Here are some VITAL tools for tracking your flights:
How do I know if my flight has been cancelled?
With all the delays and cancellations taking place at the moment, it can be tough to keep track.
If your flight has been cancelled your airline should contact you, this could be via email, text or phone call.
Here, your airline should explain what options you have, this can range from rescheduling to a refund.
If you haven't been contacted by your airline, you may want to check their website.
Strike action is ‘poorly supported’, claims Ryanair spokesperson
A spokesperson from airline Ryanair told the Sun Online that they still expect to operate a full schedule this weekend and that the strikes were “poorly supported”.
They said: “Ryanair expects to operate a full schedule to/from Spain this weekend (30thJune, 1st July & 2nd July) despite minor and poorly supported labour strikes in Spain.”
In pictures: Discarded luggage fills Heathrow Airport
Traveling this weekend was disastrous for many, but non more so than those who had their bags thrown to the wayside at Heathrow airport.
This occurred due to understaffing and a technical fault with the airport’s fuelling system, leading to massive delays.
Adam Kent, who arrived at Heathrow from Florida, described the scenes as “chaos.”
He said: (There was) lost luggage everywhere, stacked between baggage belts everyone stepping over it and no one doing anything about it.
“Being brutally honest, it looks like a serious health and safety issue.
“No one visible on the ground to explain the carnage or sort out the mess, it seems like lots of luggage has not arrived with passengers and just been dumped.”
Adam Kent/PA Wire Ryanair steward admits to drinking on the job
Sam Thompson, 26, was reported by a witness while on a flight from Poland to the UK.
The Cheshunt native was seen drinking a bottle of Jack Daniels while on the job.
The witness described the scene, claiming Thompson was "necking the whole bottle."
He is due to be sentenced next month.
How do you cancel an easyJet flight?
To cancel an easyJet flight, you need to go to the easyJet website.
Go to the Manage Bookings section and use your surname and booking reference to log in, and then choose the flight reservation you wish to cancel and click “Cancel”.
If you are asked to pay a cancellation fee, you can do so by entering your card payment details – and your flight should now be cancelled.
Alternatively, customers can call the easyJet customer service team on 0330 365 5000.
You can also cancel flights at an easyJet Help Desk at most airports – but this must be under two hours before take-off.
If your flight is cancelled due to a coronavirus travel ban or the Foreign Office advises against travel to your destination, you will be fully refunded.
But if you choose not to fly due to personal safety concerns and the flight does go ahead, you are not entitled to your money back.
Airlines underestimated Brits eagerness to travel
Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey today told Sky News: "Airports and airlines released a lot of people after the furlough scheme had come to an end.
"Perhaps they did not anticipate the desire for people to get out of the country.
"It matters that airlines have confidence flights can be delivered and passengers know well in advance if their flights is cancelled. "
EasyJet boss QUITS amid travel chaos
EasyJet's chief operating officer Peter Bellew has resigned as the airline faces more cancellations and strike action.
Bellew has reportedly resigned to pursue "other business opportunities."
This weekend, the Luton-based airline was brought to a standstill by strike action, as workers seek fairer pay and better treatment in the workplace.
EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren said: "I would like to thank Peter for his hard work and wish him well.
"Everyone at easyJet remains absolutely focused on delivering a safe and reliable operation this summer."
EasyJet set for further strikes this month
Strikes hit EasyJet flights this weekend, and more are on the way.
Following this weekend's action, further strikes will then take place between the 15th and 17th, and finally between the 29th and 31st.
Last month an easyJet spokesperson said they still aimed to run all their flights despite strikes, but this looks to be impossible.
They said: “We are extremely disappointed with this action as we have made considerable progress towards a new collective labour agreement and so would like to continue a constructive dialogue with them.
“Should the industrial action go ahead there could be some disruption to our flying programme to and from Málaga, Palma and Barcelona during the strike period.
"However, at this stage, easyJet plans to operate its full schedule and we would like to reassure customers that we will do everything possible to minimise any disruption."
Ryanair boss says plane tickets are too CHEAP and warns of price hikes
PLANE tickets are too cheap and will rise over the next five years, Ryanair’s boss said.
Costs will keep going up to match soaring fuel prices and environment charges, Michael O’Leary added.
Mr O’Leary, who took credit for low-cost flying with Ryanair, told the : “It’s too cheap for what it is.
“I find it absurd every time that I fly to Stansted, the train journey into central London is more expensive than the air fare.
“It has been my doing [taking prices so low]. I made a lot of money doing it.
“But ultimately, I don’t believe air travel is sustainable over the medium term at an average fare of €40 (£34).
“It’s too cheap at that. But I think, you know, it will still be very cheap and affordable at €50 and €60.”
Fire and rehire to blame for travel CHAOS, claims expert
An expert has noted that Covid, and the policies adopted by airlines during the pandemic, are to blame for the current situation.
During 2020, many airlines sacked their workers, before trying to rehire them at lower wages, this as caused many airports to be short staffed.
Express.co.uk reports that he said during an interview with BBC Breakfast: “Really interesting. Speaking to BBC North West Tonight Chris Woodroofe said that effectively, ‘you are not going to have as good an experience this summer as you did in 2019 before the pandemic’.”
Simon added: “Simply, the airport is overstretched.”
He later said: “Covid has come back to haunt us as the BBC has reported, lots more cases of Covid and that is now hitting staff numbers not just in the UK but Lufthansa making loads of cancellations in Germany and to and from the UK because so many of their staff are calling in sick.”
How to SAVE money on your holiday (2/2)
Tom Church, Co-Founder of money-saving community and dad, has revealed how he saves hundreds of pounds on holidays every year.
The money-saving expert also revealed how important it is to only visit places at certain times.
He said: "Flying in late August can land you a cheap flight, with a big cluster of £20-odd flights in this time period.
"But fly just a day earlier, on 27th August, and pay £49 per ticket - that’s twice the price! You can grab this deal by booking separate tickets together with Wizz Air.
"Just be sure to choose your flight carefully - easyJet is the most expensive on this day, with a 9am flight priced at £45."