Travellers said they were left ‘scrambling’ for answers from staff (Picture: Jayne Thompson/Twitter/PA)
People were forced to sleep at airports as they were left stranded due to cancellation ‘chaos’.
More than 15,000 easyJet passengers were hit by flight cancellations due to severe weather.
The airline axed 54 flights scheduled to take off or depart from Gatwick Airport on Sunday because of storms, with a further 55 grounded on Monday.
Hot temperatures has led to unpredictable weather and a wave of weather warnings.
Gatwick warned that more storms are expected on Monday.
One passenger, Sharon Spark, said she was left ‘scrambling’ with 200 other passengers after their flight from Prague was cancelled.
On Monday morning, she told Metro.co.uk: ‘I’m still at Prague Airport hoping to fly home tonight.
‘One member of easyJet staff here whose only answer to all questions was “I don’t know” and the easyJet app kept crashing.
Jayne Thompson described Gatwick Airport as ‘total chaos’ (Picture: Jayne Thompson/Twitter/PA)
‘All passengers on our flight experienced the same lack of support from easyJet and airport staff.’
On social media, furious travellers demanded answers from the airline as they struggled to leave or return from holidays.
Jayne Thompson wrote: ‘Total chaos in Gatwick tonight! Multiple cancelled flights, no support, no local hotels with availability, login to manage booking jammed, two staff on the floor swamped by thousands of panicking travellers. Totally unacceptable.’
An easyJet spokeswoman apologised for the situation and added that weather conditions had disrupted travel.
She said: ‘Thunderstorms in the Gatwick area which restricted the number of arrivals and departures on Sunday unfortunately resulted in disruption at London Gatwick Airport, including some diversions and cancellations which is having a knock-on impact this morning as a number of aircraft are out of position.
Stormy weather caused 54 flights to be axed on Sunday with a further 55 grounded on Monday (Picture: Getty Images)
‘We are doing all possible to minimise the impact on our customers, providing those on cancelled flights with options to rebook or receive a refund as well as hotel accommodation and meals where required.
‘The safety and wellbeing of customers and crew is easyJet’s highest priority and, while this is outside of our control, we would like to apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused.’
Affected passengers are not entitled to compensation under UK consumer law as the cause of the disruption is outside the airline’s control.
But they must be offered new flight options and assistance such as food and drink, as well as overnight accommodation if required.
A Gatwick airport spokeswoman said: ‘Due to unsettled weather conditions and thunderstorms across the south of England and Europe yesterday, temporary air traffic restrictions were put in place, which resulted in some flights being delayed and cancelled.
‘London Gatwick apologises to passengers for any inconvenience.
‘Further thunderstorms are expected today, so passengers should contact their airline for further information.’
Meanwhile, Gatwick Express, which runs non-stop trains between the airport and central London, was suspended on Monday.
On social media, people shared images of long queues at Gatwick Airport (Picture: VallelyClare/Twitter)
The operator said this was due to ‘urgent repairs to the track’ after a set of points – which allow trains to move from one line to another – were damaged in the East Croydon area.
Passengers travelling to or from the airport were advised to use Southern and Thameslink services, which are slower as they stop at intermediate stations.
Jo Rhodes, deputy editor of consumer magazine Which? Travel, said: ‘Thousands of travellers will be frustrated to have had their plans thrown into disarray as a result of thunderstorms over Gatwick.
‘While easyJet does not have to pay compensation for these cancellations, it must offer affected passengers the option of a refund or to be rerouted at the earliest opportunity – even if this means booking seats with a rival carrier to ensure minimal delay.
‘If delayed for more than two hours, passengers will be entitled to assistance such as free meals or refreshments, and overnight accommodation if required.’
More than 15,000 easyJet passengers were hit by flight cancellations due to severe weather.
