Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Volcano, Ash & Flights: Know Your Rights

The volcano ash is back, back again to haunt the holiday makers who planned fondly for their vacations! Iceland’s volcano eruption is sending plumes of ash into the atmosphere around Europe and preventing airlines from operating in the affected area.

Around 500 flights have been cancelled so far in the UK, disturbing the plans of many a holiday makers. Travellers who were lucky enough to get cheap tickets on flights are surely disappointed. However, the clouds of gloom look to fade away as many airlines are set to resume almost normal flight schedules.

Budget airlines like Ryanair and easyJet that are renowned to provide tickets on cheap flights believe that the volcano ash is not likely to cause massive flight trouble. UK’s flag carrier, British Airways also believes that the situation is not that bad, especially after the airline conducted an approved test flight into the ash cloud's red zone with no damage to the plane.

Mr Walsh told BBC, “We flew in the red zone for about 45 minutes at different altitudes over Scotland.

“'Initially it flew over the north of England, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh, back to Newcastle.

“The aircraft then returned and has been examined. All the filters were removed and will be sent to a laboratory for testing. The simple answer is that we found nothing.”

While the extent of damage on flight operations is still debatable, there is no doubt in the fact that there have been people who have affected by flight cancellations and delays. Let us find out about the alternatives such travellers have.

What If Your Flights Get Cancelled?

If your flight is cancelled airlines are liable to offer you either a full refund of your unused ticket or a substitute flight. EU-based airlines are obliged to provide you accommodation and meals if the traveller is delayed.

Under EU rules, airlines within the European Union must pay compensation to the passengers if their flight is cancelled or delayed, unless the situation has been caused by ‘extraordinary circumstances which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken.’

Airlines may try to claim the case of volcanic ash delays as 'extraordinary circumstances', however they still are obliged to offer travellers with accommodation, meals and refreshments and transport between the airport and accommodation.

One must keep in mind that if you are flying back to the UK from outside the EU on a non-EU airline, then these rules do not apply. Is such circumstances, passengers must contact their airlines.

Travel Insurance Coverage

Travel insurers must refund your premium (single trip travel insurance) if your flight is cancelled and you do not travel. If you make plans for an alternative flight at some other date, your travel insurer should be able to change your policy to cover this. However, it is best to check with your insurer for all the details.

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