EasyJet passengers stranded for three days in Zante

The budget carrier has since apologised to 180 passengers who were affected after the flight from Zante to Gatwick was cancelled on Sunday.

Engineers were unable to fix the problem on flight EZY8746 and a replacement aircraft could not be sent due to a night curfew rule at Zante airport - reportedly in place to protect the island’s endangered loggerhead turtles from lights and noise - according to reports by the Evening Standard.

Many customers took to social media to voice their complaints of “total chaos” and to demand more information from the easyJet.

Several passengers claimed they were left without adequate supplies and problems finding hotel rooms at the height of tourist season, according to reports in the Telegraph.

The budget carrier said around a quarter of its passengers flew home on alternative flights, while the remaining passengers returned on Tuesday.

In a statement an easyJet spokesperson said: “The safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority and we will only operate if it is safe to do so.

“We do all possible to try and minimise delays and as such planned to send a replacement aircraft.

“Unfortunately, due to the night curfew rule at the airport, we were unable to get the replacement aircraft into the airport.”