As wildfires continue to rage across Europe, holidaymakers face the possibility of flight delays or cancellations. Travel expert Manuela Savoca of online booking platform Transfeero has highlighted six important measures for those affected, as reported by The Express.
Check everything
Wildfires often disrupt local ground transport before air travel, so if a flight is delayed or cancelled, nearby roads, rail networks, and other transport links around the airport may also be affected. Savoca advises monitoring local authority announcements and looking out for transport operator updates.
Rebook quickly but shop around
A cancelled flight can lead to hundreds of passengers scrambling for seats on the next available plane. While speed is crucial, Savoca suggests taking time to compare options, as alternative nearby airlines, airports, or arrival cities may offer faster routes to the destination.
Keep receipts and safeguard the rest of your trip
Depending on the cause of the delay or cancellation, airlines or travel insurance may reimburse expenses such as food, accommodation, or alternative transport. Keeping all relevant receipts can simplify the reclaim process. Disruptions to outbound flights can also affect airport transfers, hotels, cruises, and excursions. Savoca advises contacting all providers as soon as possible with revised travel details, as some may offer flexibility.
Understand assistance and prepare for connectivity issues
Airlines can provide various forms of support depending on the cause of the disruption. Savoca recommends finding out from the start what help is available rather than paying upfront and hoping to claim back later. When flights are cancelled, airports become busier, making charging points scarce and mobile networks strained. She suggests carrying a fully charged power bank, downloading offline boarding passes, hotel confirmations, and maps before travelling, and keeping important phone numbers accessible in case the internet connection becomes unreliable.
