48 hours travel delay for Easyjet return journey to Bristol due to fuel leak

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Fuerteventura flight delay for 170 Easyjet passengers

More than 170 passengers remain stranded in the Canary Islands 48 hours after their Easjyet flight was cancelled due to an aircraft fuel leak.

A rescheduled flight from Fuerteventura to Bristol had been due to leave at 13:10 BST, but the firm confirmed it was unable to take off.

Bosses apologised and said they hoped the flight would now leave at 18:30.

Passengers used social media to criticise the airline saying the delay was "unacceptable".

On Facebook, Michelle Rounce from Plymouth, said: "The most frustrating thing for us as a family of four has been the lack of information. I appreciate we are using a budget airline, but to not have an Easyjet rep at the airport seems crazy."

And another passenger, Catherine Hodsman from Exeter, said: "Lots of us are also running out of essential medication but we're kept at the airport with a promise of a flight all day and unable to be 'let out' to find a pharmacy. It's unacceptable, we are now on day three of this and I find it hard to believe that a company the size of Easyjet doesn't have the resources to have sorted this much quicker."

On Twitter, Patrick Sachon tweeted the airline to say "At Fuerteventura at midnight our flight is cancelled but no one is telling where we'll stay tonight. What's going on?"

And Johnny Young said: "For all of the families it's a financial problem, but there is another level of stress because many people are missing their work."

Easyjet said it would move other flights around in order to ensure passengers on Flight EZY9066 can return to the UK^▸ (United Kingdom).

It said it had found accommodation for most of the passengers affected, but explained there were "limited options" available in the local area.

It plans to reimburse costs to two people who had to secure their own accommodation.

In a statement, the airline said it was looking at "every option available" to return the 173 people affected to the UK.

"Fuerteventura is one of our furthest destinations from the UK so unfortunately it will take a number of hours to get a replacement aircraft and crew to you," a spokeswoman said.

The firm thanked passengers for their understanding and said it would offer flight and refreshment vouchers as compensation.

An interesting comparison with the railways. 

[Brucey]

Within the EU^» (European Union - about) (and for certain other flights, e.g. those operated by EU airlines flying into the EU), airlines are legally required to pay for overnight accommodation and food/drink if such an additional stay becomes required.  This is regardless of reason.  Contrast that with the railways.

However, many airlines are not willing to arrange this themselves, or come out with excuses like "nothing available nearby".  In these cases, the passengers should arrange their own and take legal action upon their return.  Of course, not everyone can afford to pay for the extra accommodation, especially as short notice hotels are rather expensive, or be willing to sue the airline.

Reports elsewhere suggest all the passengers were accommodated in hotels.

Additionally, if the fault is that of the airline, additional compensation may be due.  This is often higher than the original fare, especially for short haul flights.

The unfortunate issue is when people can't get back in time for work.  I fly regularly now, often the night before I'm due back in work, but have a very flexible job, so never really worried about this.  If I need to, I can work remotely or book last minute leave.  Of course not everyone has this flexibility.

[devon_metro]

I can think or worse places to be stranded!