A BENFLEET has had to stump up £400 after getting stranded in Malaga when his flight back to Southend Airport was cancelled.

Mark Gerrard had been enjoying a dream holiday in the sunny Spanish coastal city having jetted off with easyJet from Southend on Thursday, June 23.

Mr Gerrard, who was holidaying with his sister - a nurse at Southend Hospital – and her partner was shocked when the budget airline giant cancelled his 7am Thursday flight home the evening before the trio were set to leave.

They had initially planned to fly back to Southend Airport, but had to opt to take a 6am Saturday flight to Gatwick.

“They would only give us an early flight, and yet they were still taking bookings on daytime flights, it’s shocking service,” Mr Gerrard said.

“Maybe it’s because those daytime flights were more expensive flights and easyJet wanted to make more money, but there was no consideration for those that need to get back.”

Read more >> easyJet returning to Southend Airport in 2023

As a result of the cancelled flight, Mr Gerrard says he had to pay a £400 bill to cover expenses.

“We have rented a friend’s apartment for two nights while we wait for our new fight and will travel to the airport at midnight and sit it out,” he said.

“In total, we have spent around £400 on accommodation, food and drinks plus the travel home tomorrow. Hopefully this flight won’t get cancelled and we can get home.”

Mr Gerrard added: “I’m not sure about flying with them again, but it depends on how things goes with their customer service when I get back.”

An easyJet spokesman said: “We are very sorry that Mr Gerrard’s flight from Malaga to London Southend was cancelled.

"While we notified customers of their options in advance so they could rebook before travelling to the airport, including with alternative carriers to get them home as quickly as possible, we know options were limited on some routes at this time and fully understand the difficulty this will have caused.

“We also offered customers hotel accommodation and advise customers who are required to book their own that they will be reimbursed.

"Our team has been in contact with Mr Gerrard to apologise for his experience and reimburse him for his expenses.”