Turtles and technical fault ground tourists
SCORES of Britons were stranded in “total chaos” on the Greek island of Zakynthos after an easyJet plane was grounded for two days.
Technical problems with the flight to London Gatwick saw it stuck on the tarmac from Sunday.
The budget airline had to cancel a relief flight because of a night-time curfew on landings caused by endangered loggerhead turtles.
It follows a British easyJet passenger being punched by an airport worker in Nice, in the south of France on Saturday, as a 14-hour delay to a flight to Luton left furious passengers without food, water and baby supplies.
Many of those involved in the Greek saga say there have been problems finding hotel rooms at the height of the tourist season.
There were originally 180 people booked on the flight.
The airline said that about a quarter travelled home with alternative carriers on Monday.
George Trefgarne was originally booked on the flight with his wife Camilla and their two children – Alice, eight, and William, seven – heading home to London.
He said it was “total chaos”, with nobody from easyJet on hand to offer information, let alone food or drink.
He added: “We were among a handful who managed to get out on a Thomson flight, but only after spending nine hours at the airport with no information.
“There were lots of families with children but no easyJet reps and no offers of anything to eat or drink. I feel so sorry for those left behind.”
Mark Longbottom, a charity worker from Bristol, was stranded with his family who included three children. He said: “It was a shocker.”
The remaining holidaymakers finally flew home late yesterday.
EasyJet said a technical fault was rectified but had recurred.
It added: “We will only operate if it is safe to do so.”