Hundreds of holidaymakers have been left stranded in Spain after an EasyJet flight from Malaga to Liverpool John Lennon Airport was cancelled late on Saturday night, following an onboard incident involving allegedly drunk passengers.
Shouting and Screaming Before Boarding
Passengers queuing to board the flight at Malaga Airport, which was scheduled to depart at 11.25pm local time, reported hearing “shouting and screaming” from inside the aircraft. Witnesses said three passengers, believed to be intoxicated, were removed from the plane by EasyJet staff and Spanish police before boarding could continue.
However, the situation escalated when the captain informed travellers that the crew were “traumatised” by the incident and no longer felt able to operate the flight.
Families Left Stranded
Among those affected was Gaynor Loguellou, 64, from Greasby, who was travelling with her husband, daughter, in-laws and two young grandsons.
She told the Liverpool Echo:
“We were about 30ft from the door, sweltering in the glass tunnel, when we heard shouting. Then the ground crew said, ‘the captain wants to speak to you’. He told us, ‘my crew are traumatised, so we’re cancelling your flight’.”
Gaynor said her family had been told to use the EasyJet app to rebook flights but found the system unworkable. They eventually secured tickets back to Gatwick, but on two separate flights, forcing the family to split up.
“We’ll now miss a hospital appointment for one of my grandsons,” she added. “It’s horrendous – EasyJet have been dreadful, absolutely dreadful. We were feet away from flying home, but instead the plane went back to Liverpool empty.”
Passengers Criticise EasyJet’s Response
Other passengers shared frustration at the handling of the incident. James Holt, from Manchester, said he and his partner had queued for 40 minutes before being told the flight was cancelled.
“It was clear the disruptive passengers were very intoxicated. But after that, we were met with a wall of silence. Staff just said ‘use the app’, but it wasn’t working. You can imagine – nearly 200 people in a room trying to get on a glitching website at midnight.”
With limited accommodation available, many families were left outside the airport trying to arrange alternative flights and hotels. Some reported queuing half an hour for taxis after being forced to leave the terminal.
EasyJet Statement
A spokesperson for EasyJet said:
“Our cabin crew are required to declare if they do not feel fit to operate. We are sorry for the inconvenience this has caused and have been working to minimise disruption. Customers who booked their own accommodation will be reimbursed.”
The airline confirmed refunds or alternative flights will be offered to all affected passengers.
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