Gatwick delays: Passengers' fury as they are refused food on diverted flight for legal reasons

Anger: Passengers hit out after they were refused food when their flight was delayed for more than two hours because Gatwick's main runway was closed
Ben Chu
Jamie Bullen12 June 2016

Air passengers stranded on a plane after Gatwick’s runway was closed have hit out when they were denied food because of legal reasons.

Hungry fliers on board Monarch Airlines flight ZB203 from Antalya to Gatwick were refused snacks as they waited to leave Luton airport where the plane was diverted.

Young children were among those who waited for more than two hours on the runway before a planned return to Gatwick.

But when passengers asked for crisps and sandwiches to eat as they waited to take off, they were told by airline staff that customs law meant the crew were unable to sell any food.

The Independent’s economics editor Ben Chu, 36, said the situation was “idiotic” as some passengers threatened to walk off the flight.

He told the Standard: “The crisps and sandwiches have been padlocked with the duty free items and because they’ve been sealed we’ve been told we can’t eat them.

“It is complete rubbish this isn’t a normal situation and common sense should override. It is just idiotic behaviour.”

“We asked what would happen if we were starving to death?

“Some have threatened to walk off the plane and the atmosphere is one of real anger.”

“I don’t know when I’ll get off the plane let alone get back to London. The whole thing is a complete nightmare.”

A Monarch Airlines spokesman confirmed customs law meant the crew were unable to sell any food on board with passengers only offered tap water.

He said: "Due to customs law crew are not able to serve food or drinks on board whilst the aircraft was grounded at Luton airport. Customers who asked for drinks were offered tap water where available.

"All customers will now be coached back to Gatwick from Luton airport following the runway closure."

He said coaches have been arranged to take passengers to Gatwick by road because of delays at the airport.

It comes after Gatwick’s main runway was shut shortly before 4pm because of a reported “hole” in the surface.

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