Sussex family were among hundreds stuck at Majorca airport

Countless British families were unable to get home from the Spanish island with easyJet and other airlines after restrictions were imposed due to bad weather in Europe, which were “outside [of the airline’s] control”.

Beth Rafferty, from Hastings, was unable to fly back to Gatwick on Sunday.

The 31-year-old was due to fly home with her partner, Lewis Chapman, 26, and their children, who are aged eight and ten.

She says more than 120 flights were delayed and it is understood fewer than ten were cancelled.

People stranded at the airport (Image: Beth Rafferty / SWNS) They were about to board their 7pm easyJet flight when they were emailed to say it was cancelled due to “air traffic control (ATC) restrictions”.

It has since been confirmed that the “restrictions” were due to thunderstorms across northern Europe.

The information given to Ms Rafferty and her family read: “We’re sorry that your flight has been cancelled.

“This is due to air traffic control restrictions.

“The disruption to your flight is outside of our control and is considered to be an extraordinary circumstance.”

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Ms Rafferty said her family was one of hundreds stuck at the airport. They had to book emergency accommodation and a hotel.

The family were unable to get an alternative easyJet flight as soon as they would have needed one.

They ended up paying £1,500 to fly home with Jet2 yesterday (June 2) so that their children did not miss any more school.

Beth Rafferty with her family (Image: Beth Rafferty / SWNS) Ms Rafferty, an insurance system administrator, said ahead of flying home: “We have managed to get a flight to Bournemouth – but not to our original destination.

“Lots of people have ended up flying to Belfast or Liverpool instead of London, we’ve been fortunate.

“We’ve been told by someone at the airport front desk we won’t be compensated for the new flights.

“But we might get the money back for the accommodation.

“I rang the childrens’ school to explain it and it doesn’t look like we’ll get a fine.”

An easyJet spokesman said: “Unfortunately, due to the impact of widespread thunderstorms across northern Europe yesterday, some flights were unable to operate as planned.

“We did all we could to minimise the impact of the weather disruption on our customers, providing options to rebook or refund their flights as well as providing hotel accommodation and meals for these who required them.

“The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is easyJet’s highest priority and while this was outside of our control, we are sorry for the inconvenience caused.”