European meltdown for easyJet as its computer system crashes
“Europe-wide system failure” leaves thousands of passengers delayed and 14 flights cancelled
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Thousands of easyJet passengers faced long delays and flight cancellations after a Europe-wide failure of the airline’s computer system. Queues at its main bases built up rapidly as ground staff struggled to check in passengers’ bags manually.
By 5.30pm, delays at Gatwick - the airline’s busiest airport - were running at around two hours. At least 14 flights were cancelled as the airline tried to deal with the backlog.
Aircraft stands were blocked by flights that were stuck on the ground awaiting passengers and baggage. As a result, arriving aircraft were prevented from reaching their appointed stands. To complicate matters, passengers who had been unable to check in because of the online shutdown were obliged to join the queue to be processed.
Public address announcements by easyJet said it was experiencing “a Europe-wide system failure”. The airline said: “We are using a manual process in airports and therefore queue waiting times may be longer than normal.”
Contrary to European regulations, passengers whose flights were cancelled were told to find hotels themselves and to try to rebook flights once the website was working.
Delays at easyJet’s other main UK bases, including Luton, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow, were running at 1-2 hours.
EasyJet, which is Britain’s biggest airline by passenger numbers, stands to lose heavily as a result of the shutdown. The airline is obliged to meet accommodation and meal costs of stranded passengers. In addition, anyone whose flight is cancelled or delayed by three hours or more is entitled to a minimum €250 of compensation.
On a typical day easyJet’s reservations system will take in £1.25 million worth of bookings – with the highest fares charged for immediate departures. The airline is currently staging a sale of its winter flights, which means that more bookings than normal would be expected.
Additional research by Amy Lewin
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments