Holidaymakers are languishing in UK airports instead of lounging on Mediterranean beaches following a general strike over austerity cuts
Thousands of holidaymakers hoping to fly to Spain, the Canary Islands, Portugal, Greece and Italy have had their flights disrupted and cancelled because of a general strike.
EasyJet has cancelled 26 flights, including services from Gatwick to Barcelona and Madrid, and rescheduled 10 others including flights from Gatwick and Manchester to Athens, and from Gatwick to Thessaloniki. Iberia Group has cancelled more than 350 flights.
The disruption is expected to continue into 15 November. TAP Portugal has announced that London-Lisbon flights will also be affected on both days. Passengers are being told their airline is unable to land at airports where fire services are not functioning.
So if you are still languishing in a British airport instead of lounging on Mediterranean beaches, what are your rights?
Refunds or rebooking cancelled flights
EU regulations stipulate that if your flight has been cancelled you should be offered a full refund or the option of rebooking. You are also entitled to phone calls, refreshments and accommodation if you are stuck at the airport overnight.
If your flight is delayed the airline must offer you meals and/or refreshments, depending on how long the delay is. If it is a lengthy delay the airline may have to give you accommodation and transport to the hotel.
Most airlines have encouraged passengers to rebook on alternative dates free of any extra charge.
Compensation
Under EU law industrial action is categorised under "extraordinary circumstances", which means your airline is not obliged to pay the compensation that would usually be due if a flight is cancelled, though it will pay for meals and refreshments if you find yourself stranded at the airport.
Travel insurance
Although the cheapest policies may not include cover against strike action, most now pay out if policyholders are delayed because of industrial action – check the small print to make sure. However, few will pay out if the policyholder cancels the trip simply because of the threat of cancellation, before it is confirmed by the airline.
For your claim to be successful you must have bought the insurance before the date the strike was announced – 19 October.
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