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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Travel
Neil Lancefield & Milo Boyd

easyJet COO resigns amidst airline's ongoing flight cancellations and travel chaos

EasyJet's chief operating officer Peter Bellew has resigned amid the ongoing flight disruption and chaos faced by the airline.

The budget carrier has been one of the worst hit for cancellations in recent months, grounding dozens of flights this spring and summer.

It has axed thousands of flights, including many on the day they were due to depart, leaving passengers stuck at airports, thousands of miles from home.

The result of such chaos has been increased pressure on easyJet's senior staff.

Today Mr Bellew leaves the company to be replaced by David Morgan, who has been with the airline since 2016, as interim COO.

Have you had a holiday go wrong? Email webtravel@reachplc.com.

He will report to Chief Executive Johan Lundgren. Mr Lundgren said: "I would like to thank Peter for his hard work and wish him well. Everyone at easyJet remains absolutely focused on delivering a safe and reliable operation this summer."

In May, the Mirror had contacted easyJet regarding an industry insider's claim that Mr Bellew had been placed on garden leave. At the time, a spokesperson for the airline said there was no truth to the matter and insisted he had the full support of the board.

The aviation sector is struggling to cope with the rising demand for travel amid staff shortages and difficulties obtaining security clearance for new recruits.

Trade union Unite last month claimed there was a "lack of leadership" within easyJet, and Mr Bellew should be "taking control of this situation".

EasyJet has been hit by flight cancellations and delays in recent months as the aviation industry struggles to cope with staff shortages (Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)

The Mirror has reported on many cases of easyJet passengers finding themselves stranded following a sudden cancellation.

Last week a family told how they are planning a caravan staycation next summer after their first big getaway in years ended in airport misery.

Aaron Clemlow, his partner Carla Scully and their four kids had been spending two weeks sunning themselves in Sharm el Sheikh before beginning their journey back home to Stoke-on-Trent last Tuesday.

What should've been a relatively easy trip including a four and a half hour flight turned into a mammoth journey.

Not only were the family delayed by over half a day, they found themselves locked in a deserted Italian airport, with nothing to eat or drink.

Having eventually got home on Wednesday afternoon, Aaron filed a complaint with easyJet about the service his family had received.

"I think they're absolute disgusting," the 35-year-old told The Mirror. "EasyJet needs a kick up the a**. They've destroyed what cost me half a year's work. The memory has been ruined. We need another holiday after that. All the kids have talked about is being delayed and being worried."

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