More than 50 pensioners were left “abandoned, hungry and tired” as their first holiday out of lockdown descended into chaos and had to be cancelled.

The retirees – from Canterbury, Herne Bay, Whitstable and Hythe – believed they were about to embark on a £675 trip to the Isle of Man when they boarded an EasyJet plane from Gatwick.

But after being forced to land at Manchester due to high winds – where they then waited for three-and-a-half hours – the flight was cancelled as the forecast was not set to improve.

The pensioners were then flown back to Gatwick. Once there, the group – which consisted of people aged between 75 and 92 – had to stand waiting for 90 minutes, according to organiser Eileen Booker.

They were then informed by EasyJet staff there was no hotel accommodation available and the next flight they could take to the Isle of Man was not until Wednesday, so they decided to cancel their holiday.

Ms Booker, who organises trips for over-70s through her Blean-based firm Booker Trip, says the experience left her feeling “disgusted”.

“We had people in their late 80s and even a 92-year-old,” she said. “Since lockdown, this was their first holiday away. We were all hungry, tired – it was such a long day for nothing.

“It was absolutely disgusting the way we were treated.

“Other planes were landing on the Isle of Man – other people on-board had apps showing that. Why they chose to abandon us, I don’t know.”

As they had set off on their coach from Canterbury at 7.30am on Sunday, May 22, the pensioners had been looking forward to their four-night excursion.

They were due to visit the Lexi Wheel, Manx Electric Railway and the House of Keys, before returning on the Thursday.

But instead, after a chaotic 12 hours, they found themselves on board a plane from Manchester back to Gatwick.

Ms Booker says the captain told them that on arrival at Gatwick there would be a coach to take them to a hotel for overnight accommodation – and a new flight the next morning.

"We thought we’d salvage some of our five-day holiday,” the 77-year-old told KentOnline.

“But when we got back to Gatwick, nobody at EasyJet knew anything about us and they said there wasn’t any availability for a group of 53 on a flight until Wednesday.

“I had to make the decision to abandon the trip. We lost our holiday because of them.”

The party did not return home until the early hours of Monday, May 23.

"Since lockdown, this was their first holiday away. We were all hungry, tired – it was such a long day for nothing..."

In the wake of the ordeal, angry Ms Booker insists she will never use EasyJet again.

A spokesman for the firm said: “We contacted customers to advise them of the cancellation and their options to rebook or receive a refund and with information on arranging hotel accommodation.

"Unfortunately we were unable to provide rooms for all customers and we advise that anyone who sources their own hotel accommodation will be reimbursed.

“Our team are reaching out to Ms Booker to apologise for her experience and to reimburse her and her group for their expenses.

“While this was outside of our control, we are very sorry for the inconvenience caused by the cancellation.

“The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew is our highest priority.”

As the cause of the cancellation was considered an extraordinary circumstance, EasyJet will not pay out any compensation.

The firm will, though, reimburse customers for any reasonable expenses.

It is understood other planes may have been able to fly to the Isle of Man at the same time due to changes in the weather at the time of arrival.