easyJet "very sorry" for cancellations

Airline says 'combination of issues' to blame for disruption

One of the airlines that flies to and from the Isle of Man says it's very sorry for the impact cancellations have had on customers over the last week, blaming a combination of issues. 

easyJet passengers have been impacted by cancellations and delays on a number of services in recent days. 

Manx Radio asked the operator for an explanation for the current disruption, and in a statement easyJet said it "experienced some disruption to its Isle of Man flying programme last week due to a combination of issues impacting the operation, including knock-on effects from ATC delays some of which led to some crew reaching their legally permitted operating hours or being impacted by the airport curfew as well as some technical issues with the aircraft schedule to operate the route." 

It went on to say "we are very sorry to affected customers for the difficulty this will have caused and we have provided customers on cancelled flights with options to rebook or receive a refund as well as hotel accommodation and meals where required." 

Ronaldsway is currently having to close its runway five times a day to meet the required rest periods for air traffic controllers due to a shortage of staff.

In a post on social media, Infrastructure Minister Chris Thomas said he expects the current closures to remain in force until 13 August.

Meanwhile the weather has been the cause of delays and cancellations this morning.

This is the moment passengers on the easyJet London Gatwick to Isle of Man flight were told they would have to return to Gatwick because of fog and visability issues at Ronaldsway: