VOLCANIC ASH DISRUPTION
What compensation am I entitled to if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
You are covered by the European Union Denied Boarding and Cancellation Regulation. This entitles you to care and assistance including the right to:
- reimbursement within seven days of the full cost of the ticket; or
- re-routing to your final destination at the earliest opportunity; or
- re-routing at a later date at your convenience.
If you are abroad and choose to be re-routed to your final destination on the next available flight, you are also entitled to:
- meals and refreshments in a reasonable relation to your waiting time;
- hotel accommodation where a stay of one or more nights becomes necessary;
- two telephone calls, telex or fax messages, or emails.
Most airlines will provide a refund or an alternative flight and some may also provide assistance during the disruption. You should also check your travel insurance as this may cover you for the cost of accommodation, meals etc.
Will I still be able to join the group if my flight is delayed?
Should your flight be cancelled or delayed, please either contact our office on 0871 550 4053 or your host whose number we supply in the week prior to departure. He/she will discuss your late arrival with the hotel and make any necessary arrangements to get you to your hotel as soon as we know your new flight times. Your airline should be able to predict the delay as the Met Office provides forecasts every six hours giving an 18-hour prediction of where the volcanic ash cloud is and where the different levels of volcanic ash lie. In May, only a fraction of flights were delayed with the average delay in Heathrow being 20 minutes for departures.
What if my return flight is cancelled or delayed?
Should your flight be delayed, your airline will have to provide or reimburse for refreshments in a reasonable relation to your waiting time. If your flight is cancelled and you cannot depart on the scheduled day, your airline has to provide hotel accommodation for one or more nights. In addition, we have discussed contingency arrangements with all of our hotels and will provide, where possible, accommodation for those who are unable to depart timely.