EasyJet investigates crew as Inverness passengers claim they were abandoned.

EasyJet has launched an internal investigation following a chaotic flight delay. Passengers traveling from Inverness to London Gatwick reported feeling "abandoned" and "in tears." The incident began on Thursday afternoon at Inverness Airport.

Flight EZY848 was scheduled to depart at 4:05 pm. However, a technical fault closed the runway. This grounded all aircraft at the Highlands and Islands Airports (HIAL) facility. Travelers remained on the tarmac for nearly four hours.

Passenger Experience on Board

Passengers claim the experience was distressing. Many reported being forced to pay for refreshments. They were allegedly told they would lose their money if they deplaned. One traveler, Lorraine Cranwell, described the situation as appalling.

By 7:30 pm, the airline cancelled the flight. Passengers were told to leave the aircraft. Many expected the airline to provide hotels. Instead, they found themselves stranded in the terminal.

Another passenger, known as Kate, described the scene as chaos. She noted that no hotel rooms were available. Most had been booked by earlier travelers. She eventually secured a rental car at a high cost.

Allegations of Crew Misconduct

EasyJet is also probing a separate incident. This involves the behavior of the flight crew. Allegations suggest crew members were rude to passengers. This reportedly occurred at a nearby hotel bar later that evening.

The airline confirmed they take these claims seriously. An official investigation is currently underway. EasyJet maintains that customer safety is their highest priority. They apologized for the significant inconvenience caused to travelers.

Regulatory Requirements and Duty of Care

Under UK aviation law, airlines have specific duties. According to the Civil Aviation Authority, carriers must provide support during long delays. This includes food, drinks, and overnight accommodation.

If an airline cannot arrange these, passengers can book their own. They are then entitled to a refund for reasonable costs. EasyJet stated they advised passengers to seek reimbursement for self-booked hotels.

• Runway closures often trigger complex recovery operations.
• Duty of care remains a legal requirement regardless of the cause.
• Crew conduct is vital for maintaining brand trust during crises.

Inverness Airport resumed normal operations on Friday. Flight EZY848 finally departed for London Gatwick on Friday evening. The airline continues to review its handling of the event.

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