Gatwick suffers *

This summer Gatwick Airport is drastically cutting flights due to the acute staff shortages.  Between now and September 4,000 services will be lost.

The aim is a “more reliable and better standard of service”, airport officials say, but it will impact as many as 800,000 holidaymakers.  (BTN is due to fly from Copenhagen to Gatwick 17 July.  A report will follow whatever happens.)

“We have now successfully recruited 400 new colleagues to help us process passengers quickly through security this summer”, said Stewart Wingate, CEO, Gatwick Airport.

“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”.

The cancellation of slots will probably suit the airlines who also have serious staffing problems.

Also in trouble is Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport capping the number of passengers this summer due to continuing labour shortage.  The ongoing workforce shortage has forced the airport to limit the number of passengers per day to ensure smooth operations during the busy summer travel season.  About 16%, or 13,500 seats per day, are likely to be affected.

www.gatwickairport.com

www.schiphol.nl/en

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OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum

David Wilson, United Kingdom

Travelling through DUB at the weekend was an awful experience. Only 4 out of 20 Security lanes open leading to 1.5 hour queues followed by carnage in the departure piers, most flights were delayed at least 2 hours, no seating and queueing for over an hour for refreshments. I think passengers will think twice before travelling again this summer - I certainly will. I expect Mr O'Leary to have something to say about this and hope he can resolve some of these issues?

John Jones, West Ham

Are there going to be tales of woe of CEO’s who were late at Qatar due to airport, air traffic, or crew shortages delay. I suspect not.