easyjet consider legal action over snow disruption

Monday 23rd February 2009

Easyjet claim losses of £500,000
from 'avoidable' snow disruption

Budget Airline easyJet has said that it may take legal action against Luton Borough Council for losses sustained because of alleged "avoidable disruption" at Luton Airport.

Early February brought unaccustomed snowy weather which, despite prior warning, threw many airports into disarray.

Easyjet estimated the cost of the disruption to be around £500,000 and has written to both Luton Borough Council and Luton airport to say that it intends to make a claim for a breach of contract.

In the letter from easyJet CEO, Andy Harrison, the low-cost airline claims that the airport failed to implement its Snow Plan. It said: "Whilst some disruption may have been inevitable, the failure to implement the plan properly resulted in additional unnecessary disruption and easyJet holds Luton Airport Operations Limited responsible for its losses arising from that failure".

A letter was also sent to Luton Borough Council in the same vein, claiming that a gritting lorry which turned up at the airport three times, didn't actually dispense any grit.

Mr Harrison said: "The failure on the council's part to take reasonable steps to keep the road open resulted in our crews not being able to enter or exit the airport.

"Obviously we are unable to operate our aircraft without the crew and this disruption we have suffered has caused us extensive losses."

Both Luton bodies defended their actions saying they did everything possible to minimise the effect of the snow.

A Luton Borough Council spokeswoman said "During the recent heavy snow the council fully discharged its statutory duty and took all reasonable steps to keep major routes open in the town, especially those to the airport.

"Snow ploughs and gritters were deployed throughout and staff worked round the clock throughout the whole period.

"On February 6, a detailed outline of all the work that had been done with regard to airport access was sent to the Operations Director at easyJet following an enquiry from them.

"This included full details of the severity of the conditions in the sub region which had led to closures on several major routes including the M1 and A505 leading into Luton.

"The letter also highlighted the fact we had kept all major roads open with the exception of closures owing to abandoned vehicles.

"We are therefore surprised and disappointed to have received this letter and we will be responding in due course."

An airport spokeswoman said the severe weather led to 4ft of snow falling in the area over a short period of time.

She said: "This level of snow fall is exceptional and the airport experienced considerable disruption to flights whilst the runway was cleared of snow.

"Every preparation was made to minimise the impact, however, for safety reasons, it became necessary to suspend flights at certain times.

"London Luton Airport is in communication with easyJet regarding the impact this unprecedented weather had at London Luton.

"Details of these discussions are a matter for the airline and the airport. Weather conditions affected London Luton along with other UK airports."