Expert guide on passenger rights as UK airport staff announce strike | Personal Finance | Finance
The holiday cheer may be dampened for those jetting off abroad as Unite union announces a walk-out that could hit hard.
Fuel tanker drivers at Edinburgh Airport employed by North Air are set to strike for 19 days over a pay row, starting from 5am on Wednesday, December 18, and stretching into the New Year until Monday, January 6.
The union has claimed the company’s “belligerence” is to blame for potentially “grounding domestic and international flights over the festive season”.
While airport officials have promised they’re cobbling together contingency plans with airlines to “minimise passenger disruption”, expert Nick Drewe from Wethift has stepped in with some timely advice.
He’s urging travellers to not only book flights with credit cards but also to secure travel insurance to avoid getting caught out this Christmas.
He outlined a two-step backup plan, saying: “If an airline wrongly denies you a refund, you can initiate a chargeback through your credit card company and comprehensive insurance can cover cancellations. Look for Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance (SAFI), which may offer up to £2,500 for ticket losses and additional costs.”
In the event of a cancellation, he advised keeping calm and considering your options to maximise your reimbursement: “If your flight is cancelled, your airline must offer you a choice between receiving a full refund or taking an alternative flight.
“You’re also entitled to a refund for any unused portion of your ticket. For instance, if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can claim a full refund for the entire ticket.”
However, for those who would rather not miss out on their eagerly anticipated holiday, he suggested working with the airline to find another flight or even a different airline or mode of transport if suitable.
If you’re able to secure another flight with the same carrier, they are obliged to provide assistance until you reach your final destination, which could include food and drink vouchers, reimbursement for communication expenses like phone calls, and accommodation plus transport to and from the airport if an overnight stay becomes necessary.
However, if you’ve snapped up a package deal, it’s mainly your tour operator’s job to sort out alternative travel, digs, or compensation if things go pear-shaped. But if you went DIY on your bookings, don’t expect the airline to cough up for your hotel or car hire if your flight’s axed.
Getting your money back from airlines can be a slow game, often taking 6 to 8 weeks. Nick chimed in with a tip: “If you’ve submitted a claim and received no response, you can contact the CEDR or an ombudsman, and they will investigate your claim, often prompting the airline to respond more quickly.” You can also check your rights as a passenger on the Civil Aviation Authority’s website.
