Brits 'stranded' in spain after half term as flights grounded in airport chaos

BRITISH HOLIDAYMAKERS HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED AT PALMA DE MALLORCA AIRPORT IN SPAIN AFTER A NUMBER OF FLIGHTS WERE UNABLE TO TAKE OFF DUE TO 'AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL RESTRICTIONS' PAUL

WITHERS and JENNIFER PINTO 15:55, 03 Jun 2025 Hundreds of British holidaymakers have been left stranded at Palma de Mallorca Airport following a spate of flight cancellations attributed to

'air traffic control restrictions'. Numerous British families are struggling to return from their half-term breaks on the beloved Balearic island, with easyJet and other carriers

unable to operate as usual due to restrictions stemming from adverse weather conditions across Europe, which were "outside [of the airline's] control". This incident occurs

shortly after Ryanair's CEO, Michael O'Leary, voiced his concerns about "shoddy ATC services" potentially leading to unprecedented flight delays in the summer of 2025.

British tourist Beth Rafferty reported that hundreds were marooned at the airport because of the inclement weather affecting northern Europe. The terminal was said to be overflowing with

passengers caught up in the chaos, facing delays and abrupt cancellations. Beth Rafferty, a 31 year old from Hastings, East Sussex, found herself in this predicament alongside her partner,

Lewis Chapman, 26, and their two children, aged eight and ten. They were scheduled to return to London Gatwick on Sunday evening. However, just before they were set to board, an email

notification dashed their hopes, announcing the cancellation of their 7pm easyJet flight due to ATC restrictions, which was later clarified to be a consequence of the poor weather in

northern Europe, reports the Express. Rafferty highlighted that while fewer than 10 flights were cancelled outright, the ripple effect of over 120 delayed flights impacted hundreds of

travellers. WE HAVE A DEDICATED NEWSLETTER FOR CHRONICLELIVE’S MONEY-SAVING AND COST OF LIVING STORIES. IT’S FREE AND YOU CAN SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT HERE. IT WILL KEEP YOU UP TO DATE WITH ALL

THE LATEST MONEY NEWS AND BUDGETING TIPS AS WELL AS STORIES ON THE COST OF LIVING CRISIS IN OUR REGION. Article continues below Beth's family was forced to fork out £300 for emergency

hotel accommodation after failing to find a prompt alternative flight with easyJet, leading them to spend £1,500 on Jet2 tickets to ensure their children could return to school without

further absence. 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."