Latest news with #BethRafferty
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Spain travel chaos as airline cancels flights leaving hundreds grounded
UK tourists were unable to get home from their holidays in Majorca yesterday. Hundreds of UK travellers were left stranded at Palma de Mallorca Airport yesterday after several flights were cancelled due to 'air traffic control restrictions'. easyJet and other airlines posted restrictions on travel due to poor weather in Europe claiming it was "outside [of the airline's] control". Just days before the delays, Ryanair's CEO Michael O'Leary complained of "shoddy ATC services" warning travellers that they could cause record flight delays this summer. Onlookers said the popular airport terminal was packed full of with hundreds of stranded passengers who were left in limbo due to the delays and last-minute cancellations. British tourist Beth Rafferty was stuck at the Balearic Island airport with hundreds of other families. The 31-year-old was travelling with her partner, Lewis Chapman, 26, and their two children, aged eight and ten, on Sunday evening. However, before boarding, the couple received an email informing them that their 7pm easyJet flight had been cancelled due to ATC restrictions, though it was later confirmed that this was due to bad weather in the north of Europe, Wales Online reported. She said that although fewer than 10 flights were actually cancelled, over 120 flights experienced delays affecting hundreds of people. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Beth and her family had to spend £300 on emergency hotel accommodation. Unable to secure a timely alternative flight with easyJet, they paid £1,500 for Jet2 tickets to fly into Bournemouth so that the children don't miss any more days of school. An easyJet spokesperson commented: "Unfortunately, due to the impact of widespread thunderstorms across Northern Europe yesterday, some flights were unable to operate as planned. "We did all we could to minimise the impact of the weather disruption on our customers, providing options to rebook or a refund their flights as well as providing hotel accommodation and meals for these who required them. "The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is easyJet's highest priority and while this was outside of our control, we are sorry for the inconvenience caused." Under UK Law, you have the right to care and assistance from your airline if your flight is delayed or cancelled. Magdalena Petrusic, Travel Expert at Vatican Tours says: 'Flight cancellations and delays, for bad weather or any other reason, can be incredibly frustrating to passengers, but knowing your rights as a consumer makes all the difference. "It's so important for passengers to understand that they have a legal right to care and assistance to make the experience of delays and cancellations easier, whether that's food and drink or access to free accommodation. "Our top tip is to keep clear records and receipts should you need to claim anything back from your airline, and remember that you are entitled to a full refund or even compensation in certain circumstances."
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Hundreds of tourists stranded in Spain as storms disrupt flights
Hundreds of holidaymakers have been left stranded in Palma Airport after flights were cancelled. PHOTO: AFP Listen to article Hundreds of British travellers, including families returning from half-term breaks, have been left stranded at Palma de Mallorca Airport following widespread flight cancellations and delays attributed to air traffic control (ATC) restrictions triggered by severe weather across northern Europe. Airlines including easyJet were forced to cancel or delay dozens of flights over the weekend, leaving terminals packed and passengers frustrated. The disruption, described by carriers as "beyond our control," was caused by thunderstorms sweeping across parts of the continent. Among those affected was Beth Rafferty, 31, from Hastings, East Sussex, who had been due to return to London Gatwick with her partner and two children on Sunday evening. Just before boarding their 7pm easyJet flight, the family received an email stating the flight had been cancelled due to ATC issues. 'We were left in limbo,' Beth told reporters, explaining how they had to pay £300 for a last-minute hotel stay and eventually forked out £1,500 on alternative flights with Jet2 to Bournemouth to avoid school absences for their children. According to passengers and local reports, fewer than a dozen flights were fully cancelled, but more than 120 experienced significant delays, causing widespread disruption. In a statement, easyJet confirmed that 'widespread thunderstorms across Northern Europe' were to blame for the disruptions. 'We did all we could to minimise the impact of the weather disruption on our customers,' the airline said, adding that affected passengers were offered rebooking options, refunds, and hotel accommodation where needed. 'The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is easyJet's highest priority,' the statement continued. 'While this was outside of our control, we are sorry for the inconvenience caused.' The latest chaos comes shortly after Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary criticised the current state of European air traffic control, describing it as "shoddy" and warning that summer 2025 could see record-breaking delays if systemic issues aren't addressed. As holidaymakers grapple with the immediate aftermath, the incident highlights the growing strain on European air travel infrastructure, particularly as peak summer demand approaches.
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Spain holiday turmoil as hundreds of British tourists stranded due to flight cancellations
Spain holiday turmoil as hundreds of British tourists stranded due to flight cancellations Many holidaymakers were unable to get home from half term trips The cancellations caused disruption for many families (Image: SWNS ) Scores of British holidaymakers find themselves stranded at Palma de Mallorca Airport following a spate of flight cancellations due to "air traffic control restrictions". Numerous British families are left unable to return from their half-term breaks on the sought-after Balearic isle, with easyJet and other carriers unable to operate due to adverse weather conditions across Europe. The circumstances described as "outside [of the airline's] control". The cancellations come days after Ryanair's chief executive, Michael O'Leary, voiced his grievances over "shoddy air traffic control services", warning they could lead to unprecedented delays this summer. British tourist Beth Rafferty reported that hundreds were stranded at the airport because of poor weather in northern Europe. The terminal was said to be overflowing with passengers caught up in the chaos, many facing uncertainty amidst the hold-ups and abrupt cancellations. Beth Rafferty, a 31-year-old from Hastings, East Sussex, found herself and her partner, Lewis Chapman, 26, in this predicament. They had planned to return to London Gatwick with their two children, aged eight and ten, on a Sunday evening flight. Article continues below However, just as they were preparing to board, they received an email saying their 7pm easyJet flight had been cancelled due to air traffic control restrictions. These restrictions were later explained to be a consequence of poor weather in northern Europe. Rafferty explained that although less than 10 flights were cancelled, the knock-on effect of over 120 delayed flights impacted countless individuals. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . Beth and her relatives were left with no choice but to fork out £300 for a last-minute hotel. With no timely alternative via easyJet, they shelled out an additional £1,500 to secure Jet2 tickets, ensuring their children could return home to Bournemouth without missing more school days. In response to the situation, an easyJet spokesperson said: "Unfortunately, due to the impact of widespread thunderstorms across Northern Europe yesterday, some flights were unable to operate as planned." Article continues below They added: "We did all we could to minimise the impact of the weather disruption on our customers, providing options to rebook or a refund their flights as well as providing hotel accommodation and meals for these who required them." "The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is easyJet's highest priority and while this was outside of our control, we are sorry for the inconvenience caused."
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Brits stranded in Spain as easyJet cancels scores of flights over ATC restrictions
"HUNDREDS and hundreds" of Brits are stuck in Majorca Palma airport after a number of flight cancellations due to 'air traffic control restrictions'. A number of British families are unable to get home from their half-term holidays in Majorca with easyJet and other airlines after restrictions were imposed due to poor weather in Europe, which were "outside [of the airline's] control". 4 This comes days after Ryanair 's CEO, Michael O'Leary complained of "shoddy ATC services" which he warned would cause record flight delays in summer 2025. Beth Rafferty, 31, and her family are four of hundreds of Brits who were unable to fly back to Gatwick on June 1. Beth, from Hastings, East Sussex, was due to fly home with her partner, Lewis Chapman, 26, and their children, eight and 10. She says more than 120 flights were delayed and it is understood less than 10 were cancelled. They were about to board their 7pm easyJet flight when they were emailed to say it was cancelled due 'air traffic control (ATC) restrictions'. However it has since been confirmed that the 'restrictions' are as a result of poor weather across Northern Europe. The family were told: "We're sorry that your flight has been cancelled. "This is due to air traffic control restrictions (...). "The disruption to your flight is outside of our control and is considered to be an extraordinary circumstance." Beth added that loads of families were stuck in the airport - and they had to book emergency accommodation at a hotel last night. 'It's very important' - Ryanair's 'baggage sizers' warning to Irish passengers ahead of busy Easter break amid €75 fine The family were also unable to get an alternative easyJet flight quickly. They have now paid £1,500 to to fly home by Jet2 so that their children don't miss any more school time. Beth, an insurance system administrator, added: "We have managed to get a flight to Bournemouth - but not to our original destination. "Lots of people have ended up flying to Belfast or Liverpool instead of London, we've been fortunate. "Apparently there was an air traffic control issue. As far as I'm aware, all the flights cancelled have been easyJet. "The only information provided is the air traffic control issue. "We've been sat watching loads of other flights from other airlines land and take off, so we're not sure why." 4 According to Beth, around six other easyJet flights due to return to the UK in the same 7pm timeslot as them were also all cancelled. She said: "We've been told by someone at the airport front desk we won't be compensated for the new flights. "But we might get the money back for the accommodation. "I rang the children's' school to explain it and it doesn't look like we'll get a fine." The family are flew home lunchtime on Monday, so the children can be back at school tomorrow. 4 An easyJet spokesperson commented: "Unfortunately, due to the impact of widespread thunderstorms across Northern Europe yesterday, some flights were unable to operate as planned. "We did all we could to minimise the impact of the weather disruption on our customers, providing options to rebook or a refund their flights as well as providing hotel accommodation and meals for these who required them. "The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is easyJet's highest priority and while this was outside of our control, we are sorry for the inconvenience caused." Plus, in April, Ryanair revealed it was suing UK air traffic control HQ for £5million after work-from-home engineer ruined 700,000 traveller's plans. 4
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Daily Mirror
'Hundreds' of Brits stranded in Majorca after 'air traffic control restrictions'
Brits have been stuck in Majorca Palma airport after flight restrictions were drastically imposed. Airlines have said it is out of their control and are reportedly unable to fully compensate holidaymakers Hundreds of holidaymakers have been left stranded abroad after they were hit by a series of flight cancellations due to disastrous weather. Families were set to fly back to the UK from Majorca after jetting off to sunny Spain during the half-term. But dozens of kids have been unable to return to school due to air traffic control restrictions. Beth Rafferty, 31, and her family have had to stump up more than £1,000 just to return home. She was one of hundreds of travellers who couldn't fly back to Gatwick on Sunday. The mum, from Hastings, East Sussex, was due to fly home with her partner, Lewis Chapman, 26, and their children, eight and 10. She says more than 120 flights were delayed and it is understood less than 10 were cancelled. They were about to board their 7pm easyJet flight when they were emailed to say it was cancelled due 'air traffic control (ATC) restrictions.' However, it has since been confirmed that the 'restrictions' are as a result of poor weather across Northern Europe. The information given to Beth and her family read: "We're sorry that your flight has been cancelled. This is due to air traffic control restrictions. The disruption to your flight is outside of our control and is considered to be an extraordinary circumstance." Beth, an insurance system administrator, said: "We have managed to get a flight to Bournemouth - but not to our original destination. Lots of people have ended up flying to Belfast or Liverpool instead of London, we've been fortunate. Apparently there was an air traffic control issue. As far as I'm aware, all the flights cancelled have been easyJet. The only information provided is the air traffic control issue. We've been sat watching loads of other flights from other airlines land and take off, so we're not sure why." They paid £1,500 for new flights and another £300 for emergency accommodation, as they were keen to get home so the children didn't miss any more school than necessary. She said: "We've been told by someone at the airport front desk we won't be compensated for the new flights. But we might get the money back for the accommodation. I rang the childrens' school to explain it and it doesn't look like we'll get a fine." An easyJet spokesperson said: 'Unfortunately, due to the impact of widespread thunderstorms across Northern Europe yesterday, some flights were unable to operate as planned. 'We did all we could to minimise the impact of the weather disruption on our customers, providing options to rebook or a refund their flights as well as providing hotel accommodation and meals for these who required them. The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is easyJet's highest priority and while this was outside of our control, we are sorry for the inconvenience caused.'
