World
Top UK airline warns of huge travel disruption at Spanish airport this week
BRITS heading to Spain this week are being warned to expect more travel disruption at the airport.
Security staff are set to strike for five days at Alicante Airport, affecting holidaymakers travelling through.
The five-day strike will impact holidaymakers from today (July 31, 2024) until Sunday (August, 4, 2024).
According to a notice on the Jet2 website, security services at Alicante Airport will be affected from 8.30am until 9.30am and 6pm until 7pm.
Holidaymakers are being encouraged to allow extra time to make sure they don’t miss their flight.
They wrote: “The strike is supported by security services at the airport and will affect congestion at security control.
“Please allow extra time to pass through check-in and security. Your flight is still due to depart at the scheduled time and check-in will close 40 minutes before a flight’s departure time.
“Jet2holidays customers can be assured that transfers have been arranged to ensure you have enough time to pass through security.”
While the advise has only been issued by Jet2, Brit holidaymakers travelling on other airlines like Ryanair, easyJet and TUI are also likely to be impacted by the strike action.
Strikes involving security staff have been taking place at Alicante Airport since September 2023.
Other strikes have also impacted operations at the airport, including a walk-out by Air Traffic Controllers.
Last month, Brits face two-hour queues to hail a cab at the Spanish airport.
Similar issues also occurred last year when huge queues stacked up outside the airport.
Holidaymakers heading to other European countries could face some disruption when travelling this summer, so it’s important to be in the know.
Italy
Strikes have taken place in Italy already this year, as recently as two weeks ago.
Airport staff walked out on July 5 and July 21, but the country’s transport sector is forbidden from striking between July 27 and September 5, meaning no further walkouts are expected.
United Kingdom
Strikes were due to take place at both London Gatwick and two airports in Scotland, including Glasgow and Aberdeen.
Around 300 security and passenger services staff were due to walk out from the London airport, while a similar number also threatened to strike across the Scottish transport hubs.
However, both have since been called off.
Netherlands
A public transport strike is set to take place in the Netherlands’ biggest cities on September 12, while more walkouts are possible.
Services in Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam are all due to be impacted.
Flight compensation rules
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of the “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
Meanwhile, this is a list of the times when you won’t be eligible for compensation for a cancelled flight.
Travellers could be owed compensation from BA after a court ruling.
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