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In recent weeks there has been an influx of summer holiday cancellations due to disruptions in the trip industry. Easy Jet and British Airways up to 40,000 flights removed from their schedules due to staffing issues, and Heathrow has asked airlines to stop selling summer air tickets until September as it struggles to meet demand. Lufthansa airline recently more than 1,000 flights cancelled while the ground crew organized a strike.
Not only are the issues at the airport grounds a challenge for Britons, but it has recently been reported that more than 50,000 passport applications have exceeded the 10-week waiting period.
This has resulted in many missing out on booked holidays or paying more for holidays due to rescheduled flight dates.
However, you are entitled to compensation under UK law when it comes to flight and passport delays and general cancellations, and travel experts at money.co.uk have provided some important directions for making a claim.
Are you entitled?
Passengers are protected under UK law if they:
- Flying from a UK airport
- Arriving at a UK airport with an EU or UK airline
- Arrive at an EU airport with a UK airline.
READ MORE: The UK’s Most Popular Staycation Cities Named – Full List
Contact your airline
If you are flying from the UK you are legally entitled to compensation from the airline once your arrival is delayed by three hours or more.
Experts at money.co.uk said: “How much you get depends on when the airline told you about the delay, how long it is and where you’re flying to.
“The minimum you are entitled to is £110, while the maximum you can claim is £520.”
Flight Delays
If you’re stuck at the airport while waiting for a plane, the airline is obligated to provide some supplies to accommodate you.
money.co.uk experts said: “The airline is obliged to provide you with a reasonable amount of food and drink, usually vouchers, a means of communication i.e. refunding your calls, accommodation if you are diverted the next day, and transport to and from your accommodation or house, if it is nearby.”
Package holidays and travel insurance
People who have purchased their accommodation and activities as part of a package deal are entitled to compensation if their flight is cancelled.
money.co.uk experts said: “It gets a bit more complicated if you book them separately.
“If you have travel insurance, they should be able to pay out if your airline can’t get you to your destination and you miss your vacation as a result.”
Passport delay compensation
If your passport has been delayed, there are a few other routes and considerations to take to claim compensation.
But it should be noted that passengers have fewer rights if a trip is booked before the travel documents are ready – or if you have selected the standard passport service.
money.co.uk experts: “If you have opted for the standard service, you are unfortunately not entitled to compensation, because there is no guaranteed turnaround time. However, you may get your money back as a goodwill gesture – so it’s worth asking.” When can I apply for passport compensation?
The only way to be eligible for compensation is if the passport office has committed a serious error, and these cases would be considered on a case-by-case basis, on a ‘goodwill’ basis.
Experts from money.co.uk said, “If the HM Passport Office is responsible for drastically missing the guaranteed premium service deadline, you may be able to be compensated for your service charges.
“If on the rare occasion that one of your documents is lost or damaged, it could lead to larger payouts, such as out-of-pocket expenses or possibly your entire vacation.”
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