European wildfires have caused widespread disruption to travel plans at numerous popular holiday destinations this summer. Passengers whose flights have been cancelled or delayed may need to take additional steps beyond simply waiting for their next departure, according to travel industry specialists.
Check All Transport Options
Wildfires typically impact local ground transportation initially before disrupting air travel. If your flight has been delayed or cancelled, you may also encounter significant problems with nearby roads, rail networks and other transport links around the airport. The specialist advised monitoring local authority announcements and transport operator updates.
Rebook Quickly but Shop Around
A cancelled flight can result in hundreds of passengers scrambling to secure seats on the next available aircraft to the same destination. While speed is crucial to escape the airport as swiftly as possible, the expert suggested still taking time to compare options, as alternative nearby airlines, airports or arrival cities might get you to your destination considerably faster.
Keep Hold of Receipts
Depending on what caused your delay or cancellation, airlines or your travel insurance may be able to reimburse some of the expenses you incur while awaiting your next flight. This can cover food, accommodation or alternative transport, and retaining the appropriate receipts can simplify the process of reclaiming these costs.
Safeguard the Remainder of Your Trip
If your outbound flight is disrupted, this will probably impact everything else you've arranged, from airport transfers to hotels, cruises and excursions. It's advisable to contact all these providers as promptly as possible with your revised travel details, as some may be able to offer flexibility.
Understand Precisely What Assistance Is on Offer
Airlines can provide various forms of support depending on the cause of your flight delay or cancellation. It's better to know what's available from the outset rather than paying yourself and hoping to claim everything back afterwards.
Be Ready for Poor Connectivity
When flights are cancelled or delayed, airports become busier as passengers make alternative arrangements. This means charging points and mobile network capacity can rapidly become stretched. The expert recommended: "Carry a fully charged power bank, download offline boarding passes, hotel confirmations and maps before travelling, and keep important phone numbers easily accessible in case your internet connection becomes unreliable."
