Hundreds of flights to and from the UK are thought to have been cancelled over the Bank Holiday with many passengers stranded over an air traffic control failure.
A technical issue with the UK air traffic control system saw the issues arise, with some planes being in the wrong location as a result.
The National Air Traffic Services said on Monday afternoon (August 28) that the glitch had been fixed, however, hundreds of flights were cancelled.
A total of 232 flights departing UK airports had been cancelled and 271 arriving flights by Monday afternoon, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman is 'very cognisant' of UK air traffic control disruption
Will my airline pay for a hotel if my flight is cancelled?
Under UK law, those affected have legal rights that oblige the airlines to provide support to customers flying from a UK airport, arriving in the country on an EU or UK airline, or arriving at an EU airport on a UK airline.
Sharing advice on the issue, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has said that in a case of a “significant delay”, the airline must provide a reasonable amount of food and drink, commonly in the form of vouchers, refunds for the cost of calls, and accommodation for passengers stuck overnight and transport to a hotel or their home.
A significant delay is defined as more than two hours for a short-haul flight of under 1,500km, more than three hours for medium haul of up to 3,500km, and more than four hours for long-haul flights.
You can read the CAA's full guidance and advice on your rights via its website.
Airlines are required to pay compensation if flights arrive more than three hours late, but only when it is their fault.
This means that the air traffic control problems could fall under the definition of “exceptional circumstances” and therefore the carriers would be exempt from paying out.
What happens if you miss your flight due to airport delays
The CAA has also said that it accepts that airlines are sometimes unable to organise some of the support outlined above so passengers should make their own “reasonable” arrangements like keeping receipts to claim money back.
The authority adds that “luxury hotels and alcohol” are unlikely to be paid for, but some airlines provide guidance on reasonable costs.
If you are re-routed the next day, accommodation (usually in a nearby hotel) as well as transport to and from the accommodation (or your home, if you are able to return there) should also be provided.
Passengers should also note that if they accept a refund or to travel later than the first available flight, then the airline is not obliged to provide food, drink or accommodation.
