EasyJet canceled nearly 2,000 flights for this summer – 10/07/2023 12:38 a.m.

LONDON (Reuters) – British airline EasyJet has cut 2% from its summer schedule, affecting 180,000 passengers due to air traffic control problems in Europe.

The tourism sector is on high alert and more disruption is feared this summer following what happened last year, in which staff shortages forced airlines to cancel some flights.

This year, Eurocontrol, which manages European airspace, warned that air traffic control could be a problem.

EasyJet, the UK’s largest airline by passenger numbers, said on Monday that by canceling now it could avoid last-minute cancellations, which are more expensive and more painful for passengers.

EasyJet said it had enough crew and pilots, but air traffic concerns prompted it to cancel 1,700 flights, mostly from London Gatwick, out of 90,000 flights scheduled for the rest of July and August.

The company explained that 95% of the passengers involved had already been rebooked on another flight.

Staffing issues at some air traffic control centers and social unrest may lead to same-day cancellations.

“We regret any inconvenience this may cause,” easyJet said in a statement.

Group stocks remained flat on Monday.

(Reporting by Sarah Young; French version by Corentin Chapron; Editing by Kate Entrenger)