In a video shared by Sky News, the pilot can be heard addressing passengers, claiming adverse weather conditions and a shorter runway in Lanzarote were also factors in the decision.

The service, which was due to depart at 9.45pm for Liverpool last Wednesday (5 July) eventually left at 11.30pm after 19 passengers volunteered to join a later flight. The video suggests each passenger who volunteered to miss the flight would be reimbursed €500. 

"The heavy aircraft paired with a fairly short runway here in Lanzarote and some winds, which aren’t particularly favourable at the moment, mean the aircraft is too heavy – at the moment – to depart," the pilot told passengers. 

"If possible, I’d like to ask for up to potentially 20 volunteers to choose not to fly to Liverpool tonight."

A spokesperson for easyJet said the move was a routine operational decision in the circumstances and weight restrictions are in place for all airlines for safety reasons.
 
"In the event that a flight would exceed weight limits, we ask for passengers to volunteer to transfer to a later flight free of charge which is what happened on this occasion," they said.

"Volunteers are provided with compensation in line with regulations," the spokesperson added.