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An easyJet passenger whose flight was delayed by a full day due to a snowstorm in Iceland has described the experience as a “disaster”.
Robert Stevens, 79, was one of the passengers who booked EasyJet flight 8846 from Keflavik International Airport near Reykjavik to London Gatwick. He was scheduled to leave at 7:30pm on Friday, February 2nd.
The plane flew over the Reykjanes Peninsula, the site of recent large-scale volcanic activity in Iceland, and landed safely about 40 minutes later than scheduled.
However, the return flight was ultimately delayed overnight due to bad weather and delays in de-icing.
Stevens was returning from Iceland with his wife after a trip to the Northern Lights.
“Due to severe wind and snow conditions, incoming flights were unable to disembark passengers for several hours,” he said.
Passengers bound for the UK were ready to depart, but could not board the plane until arriving travelers had deplaned.
“Departing passengers were moved from gate to gate with minimal information,” Stevens said.
“Eventually we were put on a bus to the plane. Around midnight, we boarded in heavy wind and snow conditions. Initially, due to the weather forecast, the plane could not depart yet.
“When the storm passed, the plane was covered in snow and the pilot had to request de-icing. Unfortunately, weather conditions exceeded what the de-icing crew could operate on. There were further delays.”
When the weather cleared enough to remove snow and ice from the wings and other surfaces during preflight procedures, the first de-icing truck accompanying the aircraft broke down.
The plane has finally been de-iced. But as the pilots were preparing to depart, EasyJet’s operations headquarters canceled the flight, saying the long delay would put the crew “off time.”
“The delays are not easyJet’s fault,” Stevens said.
“Pilots have been exemplary in keeping passengers informed, including the risk of reaching working hour limits.
“We were removed from the plane at 2:30 a.m. after it was cancelled. At this point the incompetence started.”
Stevens spent 12 hours with other passengers between checking in at Keflavik International Airport on Friday night and being taken to a hotel at 6 a.m. Saturday, but only stayed for a few hours. He said it was discovered that
Upon arrival at the hotel, passengers were told that an alternative flight would depart at 6pm on Saturday.
Due to flight time restrictions, the crew was unable to operate the trip to the UK until the evening, after a proper rest.
“Breakfast was coming up, so my wife and I decided to take a shower and have breakfast first, then get some sleep, with the idea of getting back to the airport around 2 or 4 p.m.,” Stevens said. said.
Rather he said: “The situation really went from bad to worse. Passengers were woken up and told to take the 9.30am bus back to the airport. We were deprived of six hours of sleep.”
Upon arriving at the airport around 10:45 a.m., passengers learned that they would not be departing earlier than 6 p.m.
“Passengers with held baggage were informed that they could only check it in until 4 p.m.,” Stevens said.
They had to wait another five hours on the “land side” in front of the security checkpoint.
“The departure hall at the airport was noisy,” Stevens said. [and] The ability to wait or sleep a little is very limited.
“The only options for eating were snack shops and general stores that sold hot dogs and pizza slices.”
Due to bad weather, the scheduled departure was delayed another hour to 7pm. Passengers arrived at Gatwick Airport almost 24 hours late.
A spokesperson for the airline said: “EasyJet confirms that flight EZY8846 from Keflavik to London Gatwick on Friday 2 February was delayed due to adverse weather conditions in Keflavik, which meant that the crew were unable to reach the safe stipulated flight time. We can confirm that there was an overnight delay due to this.”
“The safety and well-being of our customers and crew is easyJet’s top priority and we are doing everything possible to minimize the impact of weather disruptions on our customers, who provide hotel rooms and meals for all passengers. The we.
“My flight to London Gatwick was scheduled to depart the next day. My transport operator was concerned about the impact of the storm and arranged my transfer to the airport early to avoid delays and road closures. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to our guests who were staying longer than usual.
“We are working hard to ensure we can support our customers during these disruptions. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the weather and appreciate your understanding.”
“I always thought easyJet was a step above Ryanair, but that idea has been seriously eroded,” Mr Stevens said.
A British Airways flight from Keflavik to London Heathrow, just before the EasyJet flight, was immediately canceled and passengers and crew departed on Saturday afternoon after the crew had rested.
Extreme weather conditions are considered “extraordinary events” beyond the airline’s control, so travelers are not entitled to claim cash compensation.