EasyJet announces more flights will be cancelled this summer over staff shortages.

EasyJet, the low-cost airline, announced that it will operate 13% fewer flights due to a lack of staff and restrictions on how many planes can take off at major airports such as Gatwick.

Low-cost carrier Due to staff shortages and flight caps at major airports, easyJet is cancelling more flights during the busy summer season.

EasyJet has already cancelled hundreds of flights in the last few months for a variety of reasons ranging from IT failures to staffing issues.

The budget airline has been impacted by Covid-19 absences and a significant reduction in flights at airports such as Gatwick, which is also affecting rivals such as British Airways and TUI.

The airline stated that by the end of June, it will only be operating at 87 percent of its normal 2019 levels, rising to 90 percent by the end of September.

Last month, a mother was left “heartbroken” after easyJet cancelled her family’s flights, forcing them to travel hundreds of miles, only to cancel the second replacement flight.

As airlines across Europe face “operational issues,” EasyJet says it wants to “build additional resilience.”

These include air traffic control delays, staff shortages in ground handling and at airports, and longer wait times for new recruit identity checks.

“In response to these caps and to build additional resilience, easyJet is proactively consolidating a number of flights across affected airports,” EasyJet said.

“This gives customers advance notice and the option to rebook on alternate flights.”

According to the airline, it expects to be able to rebook “the majority” of passengers on other departures, with “many on the same day.”

Gatwick is reducing the number of daily flights in July and August to help with staffing issues after a number of last-minute cancellations caused havoc for vacationers.

Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport has also imposed a flight limit.

Gatwick Airport, the UK’s second busiest, will limit daily take-offs and landings to 825 in July and 850 in August, following an operations review.

Airlines will be told to cancel up to 50 flights on the busiest days.