Gatwick Airport: Why were easyJet flights cancelled - Will it affect Ryanair, Jet 2, TUI or British Airways?

London Gatwick Airport cancelled more than 20 easyJet flights at the last minute on Tuesday.

It comes just months after travel restrictions were relaxed in the UK, causing a surge in the demand for air travel.

Many staff were laid off during the pandemic as air travel came to a halt, with the airport now struggling with a lack of staff.

Daily flights at Gatwick Airport have dropped from 900 to 850 in 12 months - this has been because of a number of factors including staff shortages and a spike in sickness amongst staff.

Despite the problems faced this year, Gatwick said it is “now very much operating business as usual”.

Speaking to the BBC, a spokesperson for the airport said: “At 7am, restrictions were put on the number of flights that can arrive into Gatwick due to late-notice absence in the airport’s control tower.

"Some flights throughout the day may unfortunately be delayed or cancelled as a result. Gatwick would like to apologise for any inconvenience this will cause to our passengers."

Why have flights been cancelled?

The airport cancelled many of the flights at short notice because there are too many air traffic control employees currently off sick.

Gatwick Airport officials insist the cancellations are necessary in order to meet the standards of passengers lucky enough to fly.

What happens if my flight is cancelled?

If your flight is covered under UK law, your airline must let you choose between a refund or an alternative flight.

This is not time sensitive, with no restrictions on how far in advance the cancellation occurred.

If you still wish to travel, your airline must find you an alternative flight.

You may also be eligible for compensation if your flight was cancelled with less than two week’s notice.

If you are not flying from the UK, check terms and conditions with the airline.

Which easyJet flights are cancelled to and from Gatwick Airport?

From Gatwick Airport

• Amsterdam
• Barcelona
• Basel 
• Belfast Itl
• Berlin Brandenburg
• Bordeaux
• Edinburgh
• Geneva 
• Glasgow
• Majorca Palma
• Malaga
• Milan Malpensa
• Paris Charles de Gaulle

To Gatwick Airport

• Belfast International
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow

Not at present but that is not to say they won’t be in the future so make sure to check with your airline closer to the time of the scheduled departure.