Thousands of weary passengers woke up on Friday morning to find themselves hundreds or even thousands of miles away from their intended destinations, following a wave of extensive flight cancellations that swept through British Airways and easyJet on Thursday.

As the sun rose on Friday, thousands more travelers found themselves facing the grim news that their flights scheduled for the day were also grounded. British Airways announced the cancellation of 50 domestic and European flights to and from London Heathrow, while easyJet, operating out of London Gatwick, disclosed at least 10 cancellations for the day.

The unfortunate turn of events has led to widespread frustration among passengers who were either left stranded or informed about their flight cancellations at the last moment, all due to a combination of air traffic control issues and adverse weather conditions.

Passengers' Rights and Airlines' Responsibilities

Amid the chaos, many passengers have taken to social media to express their discontent, detailing their experiences of being stranded at various airports across Europe. As per air passengers' rights regulations, airlines are obligated to provide affected passengers with accommodation, meals, and alternative flight arrangements, irrespective of the cost.

In the coastal city of Nice, two out of four British Airways flights to London were cancelled, while the third faced an overnight delay, and the fourth eventually departed three hours behind schedule. Similarly, at various other locations such as Dusseldorf, Marseille, Naples, and Pisa, British Airways flights faced overnight delays.

easyJet, the low-cost carrier, was not spared either. London Gatwick saw a significant disruption of easyJet flights, with 36 flights being grounded on Thursday, impacting at least 5,000 travellers. The airline has been working to re-accommodate passengers and provide them with the necessary support in accordance with passenger rights.

Stranded Passengers' Ordeals

Passengers who were left stranded faced a variety of issues. For instance, an evening easyJet flight from Murcia, Spain to London Gatwick was abruptly cancelled. Affected passengers were initially informed that hotel rooms were being arranged. However, due to high demand, the airline later indicated that they were unable to secure hotel rooms in the area. Passengers were advised that if they managed to find their own accommodations, the costs would be reimbursed.

Similarly, on the idyllic Greek island of Corfu, easyJet flights destined for Edinburgh and Manchester experienced overnight delays. The airline initially assured passengers that hotel accommodations were being arranged, but due to high demand, the promise of rooms fell through. Travelers now anticipate flying back to their destinations a staggering 17 hours later than originally scheduled.

easyJet's Struggle to Minimise Disruption

With the ongoing disruptions, easyJet has been working diligently to manage the situation. A spokesperson for the airline explained that the impact of air traffic control restrictions and adverse weather conditions had cascaded across the network. This led to the temporary suspension of operations at London Gatwick, resulting in a series of flight cancellations on Thursday evening. The airline has been actively offering rebooking options, refunds, hotel accommodations, and meals to affected passengers.

The spokesperson acknowledged the paramount importance of passenger and crew safety, expressing the airline's deep regret for the inconvenience caused by the unforeseen events. The unpredictable weather conditions and air traffic control challenges were factors beyond the airline's control, leading to these disruptions.

British Airways' Apology and Adjustments

British Airways, in response to the disruptions, made minor adjustments to its short-haul schedule due to the adverse weather conditions experienced in London and throughout Europe. The airline acknowledged the inconveniences faced by passengers and offered rebooking options or full refunds to those affected.

Affected British Airways cancellations at London Heathrow included flights to various destinations such as Rome, Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Stockholm, Athens, Venice, and Vienna.

A spokesperson for British Airways explained, "We’ve contacted affected customers to apologise and offer them rebooking options or a full refund."

As passengers navigate the aftermath of these extensive cancellations, the incidents highlight the complexities and challenges that the airline industry can face. Despite the best efforts of airlines to provide timely services, factors such as adverse weather conditions and air traffic control issues can lead to significant disruptions.