FLIGHTS to Spain and Portugal are set to be the worst hit after Gatwick Airport cancelled 4,000 flights over the summer, experts have said.
Daily flights will be capped at 825 in July and 850 in August – compared to 900 a day during the same period in previous years.
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It means as many as 4,000 flights will be scrapped at the UK’s second-busiest airport – ruining the summer plans of an estimated 800,000 people.
It said the decision was taken following a review of its operations and that it is “temporarily moderating its rate of growth” for two months.
And it hopes it will help passengers “experience a more reliable and better standard of service” because of the cuts.
It’s thought Britain’s favourite holiday destination will be worst hit by the cancellations – causing travel chaos.
Paul Charles, chief executive of the travel consultancy PC Agency, told The Telegraph: “It’s inevitable flights to Spain will be the worst hit.
“It’s very frustrating for consumers. The pressure is now on Gatwick and the airlines to cancel these flights urgently because airlines will be wanting to reduce the compensation.
“If they give over two weeks’ notice they don’t have to pay compensation.”
He believes Portugal and flights to the South of France, namely Nice and Marseille are also high-risk.
It comes after just days after a disabled man left waiting on a plane fell to his death in Gatwick’s North Terminal after getting off without a helper.
A source said the passenger and his wife both required special assistance after their easyJet flight landed at the airport, but no-one came to his aid.
Its review found that a number of companies based at the London airport are continuing to operate with a severe lack of staff resources over the summer holiday period.
The airport warned that if the issue was not addressed, passengers could experience queues, delays and cancellations.
It comes after a busy holiday week, which saw more than 150 flights being cancelled across the UK on the eve of the Platinum Jubilee.
Airline passengers have been hit by disruption for several months, with the situation worsening that week due to the rise in demand sparked by the half-term school holiday and the four-day weekend.
EasyJet has cancelled 600 flights this month, while TUI has been forced to cancel more than 180 flights in June, affecting around six flights a day.
British Airways cancelled thousands of flights in advance between March and October to prevent short-notice cancellations.
And a statement made by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Department For Transport (DfT) has urged airlines to cancel even more flights in advance, to avoid short-notice cancellations.
The cancellations in the aviation industry are being caused by staff shortages after letting thousands of people go during the coronavirus pandemic.
Chief executive of Gatwick Airport Stewart Wingate said: “Gatwick prepared well for the restart of international travel by successfully reopening our South Terminal and we have now successfully recruited 400 new colleagues to help us process passengers quickly through security this summer.
“We are also working closely with our airlines to avoid disruption to passengers this summer, and while more newly recruited staff will start work in coming weeks, we know it will be a busy summer.
“However, it is clear that during the Jubilee week a number of companies operating at the airport struggled in particular, because of staff shortages. By taking decisive action now, we aim to help the ground handlers – and also our airlines – to better match their flying programmes with their available resources.
“As has already been the case, the vast majority of flights over the summer will operate as normal, and the steps taken today mean that our passengers can expect a more reliable and better standard of service, while also improving conditions for staff working at the airport.
“I am immensely grateful to all our staff for their tireless work over the last few months to get the airport back up and running, and for helping get passengers away on their travels.”
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