EASYJET has responded to criticism from Manx2.com, saying that safety takes priority when it comes to making decisions about flight cancellations.

Spokesman Andrew McConnell said, "We apologise for the disruption that the cancellation caused. This was due to fog at Ronaldsway Airport, meaning that it was not safe to land the aircraft."

The statement comes after Manx2.com claimed scores of passengers had their TT holiday plans “ruined” by easyjet’s third cancellation in two weeks at the weekend, caused by fog. Manx2.com laid on two extra flights to cope with the problem and said the situation demonstrated the different operating philosophies of a locally based operator and a big operator from the UK.

Chairman Noel Hayes said it was the ability of a locally-based company to react quickly which saved the day for more than 100 passengers, many of which otherwise faced missing onward flights to Europe later that day.

He added, “The different operating philosophies of a locally based operator and a big operator from across were clearly demonstrated again on Saturday. easyJet's new service, with more than 100 passengers on-board, was unable to land so returned to Liverpool where the flight was abruptly cancelled."