A flight was delayed when a pilot for easyJet asked for volunteers to leave an overbooked flight by offering money, a hotel and another flight to get on.
The Italy-bound flight from Gatwick to Bari was delayed because of being overloaded. The Mail Online reported that the pilot initially offered €250 to try to persuade passengers to take a different flight, but claims that it was only when the pilot upped the figure to €400 that four passengers volunteered.
EasyJet said the flight was 50 minutes late leaving Gatwick yesterday, but denied bartering with passengers.
“EasyJet can confirm that it required four passengers to offload from flight EZY8365 from Gatwick to Bari today.
“This is because the aircraft was over the maximum take-off weight – this occasionally happens due to factors such as unexpected weather conditions or heavier-than-expected luggage.
“Volunteers are paid according to EU regulations which is based on the distance of the flight.
“Unfortunately the pilot was given incorrect information initially and so later corrected the amount the passengers were entitled to. No bartering took place.”