135 easyJet passengers stranded in Jersey for three days with broken plane

Exclusive: Airline has made multiple attempts to fix broken plane

One hundred and thirty five passengers hoping to fly on easyJet from Jersey to Newcastle were stranded on the island for almost three days.

They were due to take off from the Channel Island at 3.30pm on Tuesday 30 July on the budget airline’s flight 6474, for the 400-mile flight.

But the ailing Airbus has been stuck at Jersey airport ever since. One passenger, Dawn Parkin, told The Independent: “We should have travelled to Newcastle on Tuesday by easyJet, which was eventually cancelled after over six hours of an engineer trying to fix a problem.

“We were sent to a hotel and brought back yesterday for exactly the same thing to happen again after hours sat in the airport with no information given to us.”

The airline told passengers on Wednesday: “Your aircraft is awaiting spare parts, which are delayed being flown into Jersey which has resulted in the delay to your departure today.”

They were then told of another night’s delay, and instructed to arrive at Jersey airport at 7.30am on Thursday.

“We were told a replacement plane was coming today so we had to get here for a 9.30am flight,” said Ms Parkin.

“In fact it turned out to be the same plane, not a replacement. The pilot turned us around as the same error occurred, even though the engineer signed it off.

“No one from easyJet has been in touch or done anything to get us a flyable plane to take us home.

“They have just told us they are trying to repair it again.”

At noon on Thursday passengers were told online: “We apologise for the further disruption you’re experiencing to your flight today.

“We are flying in a replacement aircraft, estimated to arrive in Jersey at 3.13pm to operate your flight.

“We understand your flight was scheduled for 30 July and are doing all we can to operate your flight as soon as possible today.”

An easyJet spokesperson said: “We are very sorry that flight EZY6474 from Jersey to Newcastle on 30 July was delayed overnight. This was due to a technical issue with the aircraft.

“Engineers attended the aircraft but unfortunately this could not be resolved which caused a further delay. The flight was due to operate this morning but the issue was unable to be resolved and so a replacement aircraft will operate the flight from Jersey later today.

“The safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority.

“We understand the frustration this will have caused our customers and we continue to do everything possible to minimise the impact of the delay.

“We provided hotel accommodation and meals as well as the option of transferring to an alternative flight free of charge.

“Customers are also entitled to compensation in line with EU261.”

Under European air passengers’ rights rules, all the passengers are entitled to at least €250 (£230). Because the flight has so far had three different numbers, it is arguable that they might be able to make three separate claims.

Passengers were also offered the option to fly to Gatwick with a coach connection to Newcastle.

After further delays the plane eventually landed at Newcastle at 5.15pm, over 48 hours late.