The 5.15pm easyJet flight from Gatwick to Jersey was two hours late taking off, and when it approached the Island it was unable to land and had to turn back.
Other passengers were able to rebook with different airlines. However, a number of teenagers who were travelling back from the Reading music festival were stuck at the airport.
EasyJet has been criticised for not helping them find other flights or accommodation, with another passenger, St Lawrence Deputy Kirsten Morel, saying the ‘unaccompanied minors’ had been left at Gatwick to fend for themselves.
Alice Ambler was one of the teenagers who said she and others had to book their own hotels and flights to come back to Jersey today. She said around 30 girls and 12 boys, all aged 17, were in the airport on Monday evening, some until midnight trying to sort out accomodation and alternative flights.
She said: ‘The flight tried to land twice but couldn’t so we went back to Gatwick.
‘We ran to the easyJet desk but the computers were down. The staff didn’t help us. It was horrific.
‘We had to sort out our own flights and accommodation. We asked two staff members about being reimbursed and they couldn’t give us an answer.
‘We have kept the receipts so hopefully we will get the money back.
‘We had six in our group, and four got given £10 food vouchers and that was to last two days. It was all after we had been told because we are under 18 we would be prioritised in getting flights home.’
Deputy Morel took the issue up with Economic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham, who said a number of flights in and out of the Island were affected on Sunday and he had been in discussions with easyJet about the level of support that was given to passengers at Gatwick.
Senator Farnham added: ‘Airline policies differ, but when services are cancelled due to inclement weather the airline has a duty of care to look after their passengers, arrange accommodation, food and refreshment vouchers, if appropriate, and rebook alternative travel options.
‘This assistance was provided at Jersey Airport and we have been in discussion this morning with easyJet to clarify what level of support was available at Gatwick Airport.
‘Ports of Jersey will continue to liaise with the affected airlines to review their processes and will suggest improvements if there are any lessons to be learned.’
Katie Kershaw, a spokeswoman for easyJet, rejected the claims that a host of young people were not helped with accommodation and flights and said a group of just 13 teenagers were affected.
She said: ‘Customers were given the option of transferring their flight free of charge or receiving a refund.
‘We also provided hotel rooms and meals for customers who required them. We are aware that a group of 13 were affected by the cancellation.
‘They were offered an alternate flight from London Luton today but decided to rebook on an alternate carrier from London Gatwick, for which they will be reimbursed.
‘Whilst the circumstances were outside of our control, we apologise for the inconvenience caused.’
