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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Josh Luckhurst

Gatwick Airport passengers 'pass out' as delays leave them waiting 'without air con'

Passengers at Gatwick Airport were fuming after flight delays left them stuck "without air conditioning" with some saying their fellow holidaymakers were "passing out".

Disgruntled passengers also voiced their displeasure after claiming they were stranded on the tarmac as air traffic issues continues to wreak havoc across the country.

There have been lengthy queues to clear security and waiting lounges have doubled up as dormitories, with passengers forced to bunker down during lengthy flight delays and cancellations.

Baggage handling issues, flight delays and staff shortages have been a common theme in recent months as the flying industry edges closer towards normality after more than two years of the coronavirus pandemic grinding flights to a halt.

One person wrote: "@Gatwick_Airport please can you turn the air-con on at gate 53 north terminal. Been sat here for 40 long minutes and feeling very unwell."

Another passenger added: "Dear @Gatwick_Airport we have now been sitting on the runway for 1.5 hours. Why haven’t you updated @easyJet on an ETA to move the plane off the tarmac. I understand you have staff shortages but after air con-gate earlier in the terminal the passengers on this flight are furious!"

The issues have been made worse due to the increased demand due to children breaking up for the school holidays and the UK is in the midst of an unprecedented heatwave.

The issues aren't just at home either with cabin crew working for easyJet in Spain having agreed to strike for nine days, including this weekend, which is having an adverse affect on British travel.

Spanish union USO said 450 flight attendants across several hot spots for British tourists such as Barcelona, Malaga and Palma de Mallorca are protesting against the delay to fresh negotiations regarding their working agreement.

Passengers complained of delays at Gatwick Airport (@denfonclark)

It comes days after Gatwick Airport suffered a burst water main leaving the building largely without water, just two working toilets and many restaurants were forced to close.

EasyJet cabin crew in Spain are due to strike this weekend with another walkout planned for 29th-31st July.

Spanish union USO said 450 flight attendants are protesting against the delay to fresh negotiations regarding their working agreement.

The striking easyJet staff are based in Barcelona, Malaga and Palma de Mallorca - all hot spots for British tourists.

The UK-owned low-cost airline said it is planning to fly a normal programme to all three destinations over the affected weekends and will strive to keep disruption to a minimum.

However, it is advising customers to confirm the status of their flight on the carrier’s website in case their journey is potentially delayed or even cancelled as a result of the walkout.

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