Thousands of passengers across the UK have faced chaos due to recent air traffic control disruptions, leading to delayed and cancelled flights. If you've been affected, you could be entitled to compensation under UK and EU regulations.
What Are Your Rights?
Under UK261 regulations, passengers may be eligible for compensation if their flight is delayed by more than three hours or cancelled due to issues within the airline's control. However, air traffic control problems are typically considered an 'extraordinary circumstance', which can complicate claims.
When Can You Claim?
You're likely to qualify for compensation if:
- Your flight was delayed by over three hours
- The disruption was caused by the airline's operational issues
- You were flying to or from a UK/EU airport
What Compensation Can You Expect?
Depending on flight distance and delay length, compensation ranges from £220 to £520 per passenger. Even if air traffic control issues prevent a payout, airlines must still provide:
- Meal vouchers for long delays
- Hotel accommodation if overnight stay is required
- Alternative transport to your destination
How to Make a Claim
Follow these steps to pursue compensation:
- Gather all flight details and boarding passes
- Document the delay with photos or airport announcements
- Submit a formal claim directly to the airline
- If rejected, escalate to the Civil Aviation Authority
While air traffic control issues often exempt airlines from paying compensation, it's always worth making a claim as some carriers may offer goodwill gestures.
