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EasyJet has cancelled around 100 flights on Monday – including 62 from the UK – due to high levels of staff absence due to Covid.
The budget airline claimed it had tried to offset the issue by using standby crew, but had to “make some cancellations in advance”.
It comes as demand for airline travel skyrockets due to the beginning of the Easter school holidays.
EasyJet claimed the cancellations only made up a small percentage of its Monday Schedule of around 1,645 flights.
An EasyJet spokesperson, said: "Unfortunately it has been necessary to make some additional cancellations for today and tomorrow.
“We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause."
He added that those customers affected had been contacted and could either rebook an alternative flight or take a voucher or refund.
EasyJet is one of Europes largest airline carriers.
Airports are also struggling with staffing leading to long security and check-in queues.
Passengers at Manchester Airport claims that long queues at check-in and security have caused some holidaymakers to miss their flight – and there have been long waits at the baggage reclaims carousels.
Yesterday, traveller Donna Mayfield told the BBC that the experience was “horrendous” and another claimed to have seen both holidaymakers and staff members “in tears”.
Manchester Airport apologised and noted that people’s experiences fell “below the standard” they aim for.
A spokesperson commented: “Our whole industry is facing staff shortages and recruitment challenges at present, after the most damaging two years in its history.
"The removal of all travel restrictions after two years, coupled with the start of the summer travel season, has seen a rapid increase in passenger numbers, which is putting an enormous strain on our operation."
Passengers have also seen long queues at Heathrow which has been blamed on “high passenger volume” and the Covid checks mandatory for many destinations.
Staff shortages and issues with e-gate passport checks also led to delays.
A spokesperson for London Heathrow said: "Our teams are supporting our airline partners to get passengers away on their journeys as quickly as possible and we apologise for any inconvenience this has caused."
Gatwick claims not to have seen extensive queues at security but claims some check-in areas have been extremely busy.
- Easyjet
- Gatwick
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