A strike by French air traffic control staff has resulted in significant disruptions, impacting tens of thousands of passengers and leading to flight cancellations across France and wider Europe, including the UK.
In light of these disruptions, what rights do passengers have, and are they entitled to refunds?
Airlines are obligated to provide care for passengers when flights are delayed or cancelled.
This includes arranging meals and accommodation if necessary, and ensuring transportation to the intended destination. Airlines are responsible for securing alternative flights at no additional cost to the passenger.
For additional losses, such as pre-booked accommodation, passengers may need to file a claim with their credit card provider, assuming that payment method was used.
Following that, a claim may be submitted to the travel insurance provider. However, coverage specifics vary widely.
According to analysts at Defaqto, while 94% of policies include travel abandonment as standard, only 30% offer standard coverage for broader travel disruptions.
Under UK law, airlines must offer passengers the option of a refund or rebooking on an alternative flight.
This holds true regardless of the advance notice provided for the cancellation.
Passengers are entitled to a refund for any unused portion of their ticket.
For instance, if a return flight is booked and the outbound leg is cancelled, the passenger is entitled to a full refund for the entire return ticket.
If passengers still wish to travel, the airline is responsible for arranging an alternative flight.
Passengers have the right to be booked on an alternative mode of transport if another airline offers a significantly earlier flight to the destination, or if other suitable transport options are available.
Passengers flying into the UK on a non-UK airline should review the terms and conditions of their booking.
Passengers are not entitled to compensation for disruptions resulting from events such as fires, adverse weather conditions, airport or air traffic control strikes, or other “extraordinary circumstances.”
However, in other circumstances deemed to be the airline’s fault, passengers possess certain rights under UK law.
These rights apply to flights departing from a UK airport on any airline, flights arriving at a UK airport on an EU or UK airline, and flights arriving at an EU airport on a UK airline.
Entitlements depend on the cause of the cancellation and the amount of notice given.
If a flight is cancelled with less than two weeks’ notice, passengers may be eligible for compensation based on the timing of the alternative flight offered.
Compensation amounts also vary depending on the distance of the flight:
Airlines are also required to provide assistance if passengers are stranded abroad or at the airport due to a flight cancellation.
This assistance includes:
Passengers have the right to arrange these provisions themselves and later claim the costs from the airline if the airline fails to provide assistance.
The Civil Aviation Authority advises travelers to retain receipts and avoid unnecessary expenses.
Passengers are entitled to the same assistance as for a cancellation if their flight is delayed by more than two hours for short-haul flights, three hours for medium-haul flights, or four hours for long-haul flights.
A full refund is available if a flight is delayed by more than five hours and the passenger no longer wishes to travel.
Passengers who booked a package holiday with an ABTA member are entitled to a suitable alternative flight or a full refund in the event of a flight cancellation.
Airlines are not liable for refunds for lost earnings.
Travel insurance policies also generally do not cover lost earnings.
Legal experts advise that employees should promptly notify their employers if they anticipate being late for work due to flight delays.
Employees should discuss how to manage the absence with their employers, such as using annual leave or taking unpaid leave.
Experts say that employers have no legal obligation to pay employees absent under these circumstances, unless stipulated in their employment contract.
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