EasyJet was forced to cancel about 26 flights in and out of London Gatwick Airport on Tuesday

The airport told the BBC it was due to staff shortages in air traffic control.

The news broke just hours after London Gatwick posted a statement online saying it was lifting its capacity cap.

Announcing its half-year results earlier today, Gatwick said it had hired more staff to ensure no further disruption.

However, the airport later cancelled 13 departing and 13 arriving easyJet flights out of a total of 180 flights the airline was expecting to operate.

A spokesperson told the BBC: “At 7am, restrictions were put on the number of flights that can arrive into Gatwick due to late-notice staff absence in the airport’s control tower.

“Some flights throughout the day may unfortunately be delayed or cancelled as a result. Gatwick would like to apologise for any inconvenience this will cause to our passengers.”