Hundreds of holidaymakers were left stranded in Benidorm after easyjet cancelled flights because the crew reached their maximum working hours for the day.
Passengers flying to and from Alicante were turned away by the budget carrier with The Mirror claiming the crew had been ‘overworked’.
Families were due to fly back to Liverpool John Lennon airport on a flight at 11.30pm on Sunday and passengers who missed their flights have been given alternative routes home, food and accommodation and received an apology from easyJet.
But after an initial delay of one hour the flight was cancelled with travellers told there were no flights available until Thursday.
One couple said they had been put up in a hotel, given means to pay for necessities and told to keep receipts for anything they buy as they may be able to claim it back.
Another, who were due on a 7.45pm departure from Liverpool, claimed they were only told about the flight being cancelled as their were about to board the aircraft.
An easyJet spokeswoman said: “easyJet can confirm that flight EZY7121 from Liverpool to Alicante due to operate on 21 May had to be cancelled as a result of the crew reaching their maximum working hours due to a previous delay earlier in the day caused by a technical issue.
“Consequently, the return flight EZY7122 from Alicante to Liverpool due to operate on the 21 May also had to be cancelled.
“Passengers were provided with information, hotel accommodation and meals where required and all have now been booked onto alternative flights.
“The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew is always easyJet’s highest priority. We would like to thank passengers for their patience and apologise for the inconvenience caused.”