This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-40793119
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Easyjet passengers to Gatwick stranded 'to protect turtles' | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Easyjet passengers were left stranded for two days on a Greek island after a relief flight was cancelled to protect a threatened turtle population. | |
| The flight from Zante to London Gatwick was cancelled on Sunday over technical issues, which continued through Monday. | The flight from Zante to London Gatwick was cancelled on Sunday over technical issues, which continued through Monday. |
| The airline apologised but blamed the relief plane not reaching the airport on the island's night flight curfew. | The airline apologised but blamed the relief plane not reaching the airport on the island's night flight curfew. |
| Night flights are prohibited on Zante as planes pass over a beach where loggerhead turtles nest. | Night flights are prohibited on Zante as planes pass over a beach where loggerhead turtles nest. |
| The curfew is in place on the island, which is also known as Zakynthos, because the lights and noise can disturb the animals. | The curfew is in place on the island, which is also known as Zakynthos, because the lights and noise can disturb the animals. |
| About a quarter of passengers made it home on alternative flights, and the remaining passengers took off on Tuesday. | About a quarter of passengers made it home on alternative flights, and the remaining passengers took off on Tuesday. |
| A spokeswoman for Easyjet said: "Engineers were immediately dispatched to Zante and believed that the technical issue was rectified yesterday [Monday], however it then reoccurred before boarding which meant the flight could not operate. | |
| "The safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority and we will only operate if it is safe to do so. | "The safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority and we will only operate if it is safe to do so. |
| "We do all possible to try and minimise delays and as such planned to send a replacement aircraft. Unfortunately, due to the night curfew rule at the airport, we were unable to get the replacement aircraft into the airport yesterday [Monday]." | "We do all possible to try and minimise delays and as such planned to send a replacement aircraft. Unfortunately, due to the night curfew rule at the airport, we were unable to get the replacement aircraft into the airport yesterday [Monday]." |
| One passenger, Rebecca Clark, tweeted Easyjet on Monday asking: "Can you let us know what's going on? Day two stuck at Zante airport. Now replacement flight isn't going. No staff coming to see us!" | |
| On Tuesday, Mark Longbottom tweeted: "Day 3 - have given up on #easyjet and have been saved by Thompson's though and fly today." | On Tuesday, Mark Longbottom tweeted: "Day 3 - have given up on #easyjet and have been saved by Thompson's though and fly today." |
| A spokeswoman for Easyjet added: "Passengers have been provided with hotel accommodation and expenses in line with EU regulations and will also be entitled to compensation. | |
| "We are very sorry for the delay and thank customers for their understanding." | "We are very sorry for the delay and thank customers for their understanding." |
| Loggerhead sea turtles | Loggerhead sea turtles |
| Sources: National Geographic, WWF, ICUN | Sources: National Geographic, WWF, ICUN |