Five EasyJet passengers informed to depart airplane after being branded ‘too heavy’
EasyJet passengers were left in ‘disbelief’ when the captain told them the plane couldn’t take off unless six of them got off – because it was too heavy for the runway conditions
The plane was deemed too heavy so the passengers were asked to leave (L to R: Jon, Darren, Wendy and Kelly) (Image: Kelly Wayand / SWNS)
Travellers on an EasyJet flight were left in ‘disbelief’ after being informed their aircraft could not depart unless six of them disembarked – because it was too heavy.
The flight – which was journeying from Southend Airport to Malaga, Spain on April 11 – was preparing for take-off when the captain announced the problem. One passenger who remained on the aircraft, Kelly Wayand, 45, who works as an independent travel agent, said: “I honestly couldn’t believe what was happening – I thought he was joking at first.
“It was bizarre, I had never heard anything like it before. The pilot came out of his cockpit and told everyone we couldn’t set off unless six of us got off the plane. He said it was either that or we leave all of the luggage behind.
“I was travelling with my dad, who is disabled, my mum, and my partner, so it would have been hard work for us to get off. Five people got off fairly quickly in around 10 minutes.”
Flight records reveal the aircraft – an Airbus A319 – was scheduled to depart at 8:40 am but it left at 8:59 am.
EasyJet confirmed the flight was delayed by 12 minutes.
An Airbus A319 has a maximum take-off weight of 75.50 tonnes, according to Airbus.
EasyJet have stated customers were provided with complimentary travel from Essex to London Gatwick for an alternative flight later the same day, and are being offered compensation.
They also explained the weight restriction was caused by the weather conditions and the short length of the runway. A spokesperson stated: “The safety and welfare of our passengers and crew is always easyJet’s highest priority.
“Weight restrictions are in place for all airlines for safety reasons.”
They declined to reveal any details regarding compensation.
Meanwhile, a passenger flight was forced to return to its departure airport minutes after lifting off, as indicated by flight path maps.
A SunExpress flight en route from Manchester to Antalya, Turkey, made an emergency U-turn back to the UK airport on Monday (April 13) due to a medical incident onboard.
Flight XQ593 departed at 1.33pm but had to abruptly cease its climb at 18,000 feet when crew members informed Air Traffic Control (ATC) of a situation in the cabin.
The Boeing 737-800 subsequently broadcasted a Squawk 7700 code – the universal distress signal for a general emergency – reportedly because a passenger needed immediate medical assistance.
