EasyJet customers who have had flights cancelled by the airline are being warned to watch out for scammers offering them their money back.

Those hoping to escape the UK this summer are facing significant travel disruption after more 1,700 flights due to take off between now and September had to be axed because of air traffic control restrictions, mainly affecting Gatwick airport.

In a separate development – more than 1,000 check-in staff and baggage handlers working at Gatwick airport have also just announced plans to strike for four days this month and a further four days in August in a row over pay.

EastJet warning

In the days since easyJet announced its cancellations – expected to affect more than 100,000 passengers heading on their summer holiday – fraudsters have quickly attempted to exploit the situation warns consumer group Which?

Passengers awaiting a refund are being ‘bombarded’ by fake customer service accounts through Twitter, says its law expert Lisa Webb, with false offers to claim their money back.

She explained: “It’s really worrying that scammers are using the recent easyJet cancellations to prey on vulnerable consumers who are trying to get their money back for cancelled flights.

“If you receive a Twitter message purporting to be from easyJet, check to make sure this is coming from its official @easyJet Twitter account. If you are in any doubt at all, get in touch with easyJet directly using the contact details on their official website to check on your compensation claim.”

The majority of flights cancelled because of air traffic control issues affect passengers flying in and out of Gatwick airport who have now been told if their seat is cancelled. Those affected by easyJet’s changes are being offered an alternative flight if available or their money back.

Strikes, staffing problems and airspace capacity because of the war in Ukraine are all to blame and mirror problems facing many airlines this summer.

Summer strikes announced

The airport, which is already managing disruption caused by the air traffic control restrictions, is now facing further problems with walkouts announced by Unite on Friday morning.

Members of Unite employed by four private contractors will walk out for four days from July 28 and again for four days from August 4.

More than 4,400 flights are due to depart Gatwick across all the strike days, equating to more than 840,000 airline seats, calculates aviation data company Cirium.

With schools nearing the end of term, millions are expected to be planning getaways abroad in the upcoming six-week break.

However travellers heading for some parts of Europe are being warned to prepare for record-breaking temperatures as a result of a heatwave sweeping parts of Italy, Spain, Turkey and Greece.

Amid reports of tourists collapsing across the continent authorities are issuing red heat alerts, reminding people to stay out of the sun, seek air conditioning where they can, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol until there is a break in the heat.