Gatwick Airport chaos and easyJet fury as hundreds of flights cancelled due to staff shortages

**Gatwick Airport Flights Cancelled due to Staff Shortages**

Over 100 flights were canceled at Gatwick Airport on Sunday due to staff shortages in the control tower, affecting around 15,000 passengers. The disruptions included flights from EasyJet, British Airways, and Wizz Air. Temporary air traffic restrictions were put in place by Nats, the air-traffic control provider, to ensure safety. Although there were delays on Monday morning, the situation is mostly resolved.

– **EasyJet Expresses Disappointment**: EasyJet expressed disappointment over the situation, attributing the disruptions to staffing shortages. The reduced flow rate affected flights to and from Gatwick, leading to cancellations. The airline apologized for the inconvenience caused to passengers.

– **British Airways and Other Impacted Airlines**: British Airways was one of the affected airlines, grounding evening flights to Bordeaux and Jersey, in addition to previous cancellations unrelated to air-traffic control issues. Sister airline Vueling canceled flights to Spain, while Norwegian and Wizz Air also had grounded flights.

– **Gatwick’s Response**: Gatwick Airport acknowledged the short-notice staff absence in the control tower, resulting in temporary restrictions. The airport apologized to passengers for any delays or cancellations caused by these restrictions and advised passengers to contact their respective airlines for more information.

– **Previous Incidents**: Similar staff shortages were reported at Gatwick Airport in the past year and in June 2024. The recurrent disruptions highlight ongoing challenges faced by the airport in managing air-traffic control operations during peak travel periods.

Despite efforts to mitigate the impact of staffing shortages, Gatwick Airport continues to face operational challenges that disrupt travel plans for thousands of passengers. Measures are being taken to address these issues and minimize disruptions moving forward.

We will keep you updated on any further developments regarding the situation at Gatwick Airport. Remember to check with your airline for the latest information on your flight status. Stay tuned for more updates on this story in the days to come.