PASSENGERS at Southend Airport were asked to leave an easyJet plane because it was too heavy to fly.

Ten travellers were offered £250 for volunteering to leave the flight to Malaga because windy conditions meant the weight of the 156-passenger Airbus 319 made it dangerous to take off.

The plane was stuck on the runway for more than an hour before ten people were selected to leave in return for compensation.

A spokesperson for the airline said: “easyJet can confirm that some passengers on a recent flight from London Southend to Malaga were asked to take a later flight as weather conditions at Southend meant the aircraft would be too heavy to take off with all onboard. Like all airlines, we calculate weight using high average estimates for males and females, along with 20kg baggage.

“In line with EU rules, the passengers who did not travel on the flight were offered £250 compensation and a transfer on to an alternative flight to Malaga.

“easyJet would like to apologise to the passengers for the delay to their journey.”

It is the second time this year an easyJet flight was delayed because of weight issues.

In June a pilot ordered four passengers off an easyJet flight from Southend when a plane packed with Towie cast members was found to be too heavy.

The flight, also to Malaga, was grounded by the pilot after it was found to be 200kg over the weight limit.

The flight, which was carrying several Towie cast members and their luggage, was delayed by more than 30 minutes as the pilot waited for passengers to leave the plane.

Towie cast members James Argent, Lauren Pope, Grace Andrews, Fran Parman, Bobby Cole Norris and Jasmin Walia, were all on board, heading to Marbella for a holiday to be filmed for the ITV2 show.

Fortunately, four women volunteered to take a £100 taxi ride to Luton airport to catch another flight.

Were you on the delayed flight last week? If so we'd like to hear from you on 01702 321159.