Holidaymakers have been warned that they won’t be able to claim compensation for trips cancelled or delayed due to strikes, as industrial action threatens to disrupt flights over the summer.
According to reports, air traffic control strikes could see up to 12,600 flights per day delayed or cancelled across popular European destinations in the coming months. The date of the walkout has not been announced, but it is likely to be timed to cause maximum impact during the summer holiday period, with experts predicting Fridays and weekends most at risk of disruption.
The Eurocontrol air traffic control strikes over recruitment, management and rosters come on top of expected travel chaos this month with rail strikes planned on 20, 22 and 29 July – the beginning of the school holidays for most families.
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Holidaymakers whose holiday plans are disrupted might expect they will be compensated if their flight is cancelled due to strike action – but they won’t be. This is because industrial action is considered to be an “extraordinary circumstance”, meaning that airlines aren’t liable to pay compensation, as it’s an issue outside of their control.
Kevin Pratt, travel insurance expert at Forbes Advisor, said: “It's inevitable that flights to and from some of the most popular summer holiday destinations will be affected. This will cause huge uncertainty, stress and disappointment to millions of Brits heading to Europe. If your flight is delayed or cancelled, what happens next depends on the circumstances.
"If it is not the fault of the airline - and cancellations due to air traffic controller strikes would fall into this category - then the airline is not obliged to provide compensation if it can prove it has done everything possible to make alternative arrangements. If this happens, you could turn to your travel insurance. Most policies provide payments if your flight is delayed by a certain length of time - this can help with out-of-pocket expenses. But claiming for the cost of the cancelled flight and the holiday itself is another matter - you’d need to scrutinise your policy documents to see what level of cover you have.
“One key point is that the cancellation must be unforeseen and unexpected at the point you bought your policy. This is another compelling reason to buy your cover when you book your trip, or as soon after as possible - that puts the cancellation protection in place straight away. If you are going on a package holiday or booked the trip through a travel agent, you should have protection under the ABTA or ATOL rules, which are designed to protect your financial interests if something goes awry.”
Travellers are being warned to check now whether they could claim on their travel insurance in the event of disruption to their holiday plans due to strikes. In the case of severe flight delays, airlines still have a duty to look after passengers, which could include free refreshments or accommodation, and should offer passengers either a refund for a cancelled flight or a rerouted flight, even with a rival carrier.
And the rules are different for those who have booked a package holiday or through a travel agent, as they should have protection under rules set by the travel agent and travel operator industry bodies.
“This summer is set to be one of the busiest in recent history, and it’s essential that airlines and airports work together to keep travellers updated of any potential issues,” said Jo Rhodes, deputy editor of Which? Travel. "While compensation is not likely to be payable in these circumstances, airlines must fulfil their legal obligations to passengers in the event of cancellations or delays. Make sure you have travel insurance from the date you book your holiday and check the policy carefully to ensure it covers you in the event of strike action.”
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Cody Candee, boss of luggage storage company Bounce, advises holidaymakers to keep an eye on their flight as their departure date approaches. "Before heading to the airport, consider downloading your airline’s app to your mobile phone so that you can closely monitor the status of your flight," he said. "You can also sign up for text updates and alerts if your flight is going to be delayed or cancelled. As soon as you hear of flight delays or cancellations be sure to contact the airline’s customer service team directly, they will be able to assist you with what to do next."
