easyJet has apologised to Edinburgh passengers after their flight was repeatedly delayed and then rescheduled - leaving some saying they had to fork out hundreds in additional expenses.
Mr and Mrs McGill, both 57, had been enjoying a relaxing week-long trip to the gorgeous Spanish island of Tenerife and were ready to make their way home on Monday. However, their fight was delayed multiple times before eventually being rescheduled to the following day.
This left scores of passengers with their plans in complete chaos as they needed somewhere to sleep ahead of the new flight day. The couple said they had to stay in a hotel, taxis to which cost more than £100 each way, with the airline saying they advised customers that they will be reimbursed if they booked their own transfers.
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It is also claimed that some people didn’t have enough money to afford food and additional costs before getting home, and were left with no option but to sleep in the airport. But easyJet have stated that vouchers for hotel accommodation and food were handed out once it became clear the flight would not be leaving that day.
According to the airline, the delays and eventual rescheduling came as a result of the aircraft experiencing technical issues on its previous journey, as well as staff reaching their safety regulated operating hours due to further delays during the inbound flight to Tenerife.
Some passengers remain frustrated at the situation, saying that the communication from easyJet worsened the experience, while also claiming to have lost days at work as a result of the disruption.
Mrs McGill, who works in a pharmacy, told Edinburgh Live: “Firstly, we were delayed for three hours. The flight landed at 12 and they cancelled to give the pilot a break. We had to pay for taxis, which were £140 each way to the hotel. Some couldn’t afford it and slept in airport.
“The flight was scheduled for 11.20am the next day but we were delayed again until 5.20pm. easyJet helpline is hopeless, couldn’t give us any information and the airline is saying it’s exceptional circumstances. I’ve already lost a day’s work.
“I just feel shattered after a lovely relaxing holiday. I think easyJet communication skills are awful and they can’t expect people to have money for expensive taxis and food . Everyone is exhausted and anxious because they don’t seem to know what’s happening.”
Mr and Mrs McGill claim they spoke to several passengers who did not have enough money to pay for transfers, instead having to spend the night in the airport.
Mrs McGill added: “I’ve just had to buy a young student some food. There’s some young girls stranded to get home, they’re exhausted.
“They sent us to hotels all over the island but we had to pay the taxis. Ours was £140 each way and some were £200. Others couldn’t afford it and slept in the airport."
In a statement to Edinburgh Live, the airline apologised for the inconvenience caused to travellers heading back to the capital, saying the safety of their passengers and staff is their highest priority.
An easyJet spokeswoman said: “We are sorry that flight EZY3202 from Tenerife to Edinburgh on June 12 was delayed overnight due to the aircraft experiencing a technical issue on a previous flight and air traffic control restrictions delaying the flight inbound to Tenerife, which led to the crew reaching their safety regulated operating hours.
"We did all possible to minimise the impact of the disruption for our customers, providing hotel accommodation and refreshment vouchers ahead of the flight departing yesterday afternoon. We also look to source transfers where available and advise any customers who book their own that they will be reimbursed.
“The safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority and we would like to apologise to customers for the inconvenience this will have caused.”
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