Passengers at Bristol Airport faced major disruption after a runway fault caused significant delays on the evening of Friday, August 7. The runway reopened on the morning of Saturday, August 8, but delays continued to affect services.
Know your rights
Holidaymakers are being urged to familiarise themselves with their rights when flights are delayed. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has published guidance explaining what support airlines must provide.
According to the CAA, if you're flying from a UK airport or returning on a UK airline and are significantly delayed, the airline must provide food, drink, a way to communicate (such as phone or email access), and if delayed overnight, a hotel and transport.
These services are required after a two-hour delay for short-haul flights (under 1,500km), three hours for medium-distance flights (1,500-3,500km), and four hours for long-haul flights (over 3,500km).
Keep your receipts
While airlines may offer vouchers for food at airport cafés and restaurants, if this help is not offered, passengers can claim back reasonable costs. The CAA advises: "If you can't get help, remember to keep those receipts for any reasonable costs and claim them back later."
Compensation unlikely for runway fault
Compensation is unlikely if the delay is due to an issue such as a runway fault, as this may be considered outside the airline's control. However, if the delay is the airline's responsibility and lasts at least three hours, passengers may be eligible for compensation.
Compensation amounts are: £220 per person for flights under 1,500km; £350 per person for flights between 1,500 and 3,500km; and for flights over 3,500km (such as London to New York), £260 per person if delayed between three and four hours, or £520 per person if delayed more than four hours.
More information is available on the Civil Aviation Authority website.
