LEISURE carriers have cause to celebrate after navigating the airport chaos without cancelling a single flight – in stark contrast to the performance of scheduled airlines, especially the no-frills carriers.
First Choice Airways, MyTravel Airways, Thomas Cook Airlines and Thomsonfly all reported delays but no cancellations.
Thomsonfly managing director Colin Mitchell said: “Everyone was caught out a bit on Thursday morning, but 83% of our departures have been delayed less than one hour. I’ve not heard of anyone left behind, or of luggage being left.”
He pointed out Thomsonfly operates from every major airport other than Heathrow and said: “Staff at the airports we operate from did a good job.
“We threw huge resources into helping customers, with extra staff at airports where we anticipated the biggest queues.”
By contrast, EasyJet cancelled all London operations last Thursday afternoon and Ryanair dispatched some flights from Stansted without a single passenger on board.
The airlines refuted charges they had abandoned passengers.
An EasyJet spokeswoman said: “We acted to minimise disruption by having aircraft in the right place.”
She said anyone booked on a cancelled flight was entitled to a full refund or to rebook for free.
A Ryanair spokesman said: “We flew empty out of Stansted to pick up passengers in Dublin because people were not able to get through to the aircraft in time.
“People booked on cancelled flights can ask for a refund or take the next available flight without a charge.”
Ryanair continues to charge £5 per item for check-in luggage despite cabin bag restrictions.
Mitchell said: “I don’t think the worth of travelling with a tour operator is clear to people. We look after people when they need it most.”
First Choice marketing director Tim Williamson added: “This has highlighted the difference between leisure carriers and other airlines.
“We could have cancelled flights, but didn’t. It’s unacceptable to cancel.”