EasyJet cuts summer 2022 flight schedules

easyJet is cutting more flights this summer because of the staff shortages that are continuing to plague the aviation industry.

Images of long queues at airport security checks and check-in desks, plus news of delays and cancellations, have become commonplace in recent weeks in Europe, with the industry struggling to rehire fast enough and restore operations following two years of pandemic-related travel restrictions.

The British low-cost airline said air traffic control delays, airport and ground handling staff shortages were resulting in increased aircraft turnaround times and delayed departures, in turn leading to flight cancellations. Meanwhile, two of the budget carrier’s biggest airports, London Gatwick (LGW) and Amsterdam (AMS), have introduced flight caps this summer.

“Coupled with airport caps, we are taking pre-emptive actions to increase resilience over the balance of summer, including a range of further flight consolidations in the affected airports, giving advance notice to customers and we expect the vast majority to be rebooked on alternative flights within 24 hours,” easyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren announced in a trading update on June 20, 2022.

“We believe this is the right action for us to take so we can deliver for all of our customers over the peak summer period in this challenging environment,” he added.