If passengers booked a hotel through Easyjet I would think they would be the last people to be kicked off as I think Easyjet would be liable for the lost hotel accommodation as well because passengers would have bought a package. On the day through would those that pick the unfortunate know who has booked a package?
Reading last weeks newspaper article it would appear that those kicked off had no idea what was the real cause of their misery.
Could Easyjet not take a full load and refuel on the way at a small airport to reduce the delay?
Is Ryanair affected by this issue?