Gatwick Airport is set to cancel thousands of flights, thwarting the plans of holidaymakers desperate to get away this summer.
Staff shortages alongside hundreds of thousands of Brits desperate to get away after the coronavirus pandemic have resulted in absolute chaos across UK airports.
This includes thousands of travellers have been left queueing into car parks, pilots having had to take on the role of baggage loaders and holidaymakers been asked to drop their luggage the day before they fly.
Gatwick Airport is now anticipated as cancelling 4,000 flights this summer due to capping its daily number of takeoffs.
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In previous years, the summer period saw 900 flights take off each day from Gatwick Airport. Now, only 825 are set to go ahead in July. In August, only 850 will take off.
Subsequently, around 800,000 people could have their holiday plans scuppered.
The decision was made by Gatwick after a review of its operations revealed that the airport is set to suffer from ongoing severe staff shortages across the summer holiday period.
It's hoped that as a result of the cuts, passengers who do make it on flights will experience a more predictable timetable particularly amid the school holidays, as well as 'a more reliable and better standard of service'.
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However, Gatwick has reassured that the change is 'temporarily moderating its rate of growth'.
Chief executive of Gatwick Airport, Stewart Wingate, revealed in a press release that the airport has 'now successfully recruited 400 new colleagues' to assist with 'process[ing] passengers quickly through security this summer'.
It has also 'successfully reopen[ed] [its] South Terminal'.
As a result, the airport it is now 'well prepared for the restart of international travel'.
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Wingate said: "We are also working closely with our airlines to avoid disruption to passengers this summer, and while more newly recruited staff will start work in coming weeks, we know it will be a busy summer.
"However, it is clear that during the Jubilee week a number of companies operating at the airport struggled in particular, because of staff shortages. By taking decisive action now, we aim to help the ground handlers - and also our airlines - to better match their flying programmes with their available resources.
"As has already been the case, the vast majority of flights over the summer will operate as normal, and the steps taken today mean that our passengers can expect a more reliable and better standard of service, while also improving conditions for staff working at the airport.
"I am immensely grateful to all our staff for their tireless work over the last few months to get the airport back up and running, and for helping get passengers away on their travels."
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LADbible has contacted Gatwick Airport for comment.
Poppy Bilderbeck