EasyJet customer left devastated after holiday cancelled while waiting for take off
A father says his family have been left 'gutted' after they received news that their holiday had been cancelled - while they were sitting on the plane
PA
A father says his family has been left "gutted" after receiving news that their holiday had been cancelled - while they were sitting on the plane.
Alan Kennedy, 55 was due to fly to Amsterdam for a holiday alongside his wife and two teenage children.
The family had boarded the EasyJet flight from Belfast International Airport on Saturday night before they were left devastated by the sudden turn of events.
The flight was initially delayed by half an hour, according to the information displayed on the departure board.
The family had boarded the EasyJet flight from Belfast International Airport on Saturday night before they were left devastated by the sudden turn of events
PA
However, after boarding, the passengers were told there was a longer delay.
"I'm from Carrickfergus, and we were going to Amsterdam for four nights - myself, my wife, and two kids, both teenagers. We were flying with EasyJet, from Belfast International," Kennedy told Belfast Live.
"Last night it showed that the flight was delayed by half an hour on the board, but when we actually got on to the flight it was delayed by longer than that.
"It was delayed by over an hour. The flight was meant to go out at 6.50pm, but when we were in the airport it was delayed to 7.35pm."
But after the passengers settled and listened to the safety demonstration, the pilot made an announcement.
They had just learned about an 11pm curfew at Amsterdam's Schipol Airport.
Kennedy said: "Even though we'd have got there before 11pm because they couldn't get turned around to leave again before 11pm.
"That was the only indication we've had from EasyJet, other than an email from them last night - because we'd booked a package with them, a hotel as well - saying that they'd give us a refund for the flight and the hotel.
"Now, we'd booked other things as well. We'd booked our train transfer, we'd booked trips, and it cost me £50 to stay in the airport for the extra time last night because I'd booked my car in."
The dad added that he had booked time off work especially for the trip.
The EasJet crew said they had just learned about an 11pm curfew at Amsterdam's Schipol Airport
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Kennedy also raised concerns about the frequency of cancellations on this particular route, after speaking to other passengers affected.
He said: "The guy sitting next to me said it was the third time he'd had that flight canceled on him.
"Another family we were talking to while we were trying to get our bags back said they had that same flight canceled just last week - the second time in a week."
He added: "I'm absolutely gutted. I've taken time off work, and that was to be the start of the holiday.
"Our kids are 14 and 18, and the 18-year-old isn't going to want to go on too many holidays with his parents. That might have been one of our last holidays we would all go on. He's not going to Krakow with us."
An EasyJet holidays spokesperson said: “Mr Kennedy’s flight from Belfast to Amsterdam was unfortunately cancelled following earlier delays to the aircraft due to operate the flight, which meant the flight was unable to arrive at Amsterdam within the airport’s night curfew and we are very sorry for the disappointment this will have caused Mr Kennedy and his family.
“We did all possible to mitigate the impact for customers, providing them with options to transfer to an alternative flight for free or a refund as well as hotel accommodation and meals for those who required them. For customers on an easyJet holiday like Mr Kennedy, we will always endeavour to find an alternative holiday and where this isn’t possible we will offer a full refund, so we have refunded Mr Kennedy in full for his holiday and have provided him with the compensation he is due.”