EasyJet passengers ‘stranded’ in Egypt for FOUR days as ‘magical’ holiday turns into nightmare
A Weymouth couple’s “magical” Egyptian holiday turned into a four-day ordeal after they were denied boarding their EasyJet flight home from Sharm El Sheikh.
Maureen and Richard Pitman were among 11 passengers turned away at the gate, leaving them stranded without vital medication.
The couple had been set to return to their home after a two-week trip when they encountered the unexpected disruption at the airport.
“We were queued up and we could see a bit of hassle,” said Maureen, 58. “A member of staff had peoples passports in his hands, and we were all told we wouldn’t be boarding.”
The Pitmans were escorted to a hotel at midnight, with promises of further instructions the following day.
“We were taken on a rickety bus to a hotel, which was really just a room. We were promised we were going home the next day,” Maureen explained.
EasyJet later confirmed that 11 passengers were unable to travel “due to the aircraft being over the weight limits for the weather conditions”.
The airline stated this was a standard procedure “in place on all airlines for safety reasons”.
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The couple were informed the next available flight to Bristol wouldn’t depart until January 13, four days after their scheduled return.
Maureen, who requires daily antibiotics for blepharitis, faced additional distress when she ran out of medication and contact lenses during the extended stay.
She claims staff asked her to “prove it” when she explained her medical situation.
“After four days it was like I had been crying my eyes out. There was just no sympathy offered,” she said.
“I’ll never travel without extra medication again. We were never given a reason why we were taken off the flight. They just treated us like cattle.”
The Pitmans were offered an alternative flight on January 8 to Gatwick Airport, 150 miles from their intended destination of Bristol.
The couple’s son was unable to collect them from Gatwick due to work commitments, forcing them to pay £205 for a taxi to Weymouth.
The total cost of their extended stay and travel arrangements amounted to £485, with compensation claims so far being rejected.
“It’s not a matter of money, it’s the fact they’re hoping we’ll put it to one side as two old people,” said Maureen. “Imagine the people who didn’t have the extra money.”
EasyJet has responded to the incident, saying they are “in touch with Mr and Mrs Pitman to understand more about their experience at the airport and the hotel”.
The airline acknowledged this was “not the support we expect for our customers” and committed to reimburse their expenses in full and provide due compensation.
“The safety and welfare of our passengers and crew is always easyJet’s highest priority,” the airline added.
The Pitmans are now warning other holidaymakers to ensure they have funds for accommodation in case of similar situations.
“It’s such a shame because it was such a magical holiday,” Maureen reflected.