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What to do if your flight is cancelled or delayed due to mystery ‘tech glitch' – and can you can claim compensation

What to do if your flight is cancelled or delayed due to mystery ‘tech glitch' – and can you can claim compensation

The Irish Sun7 days ago
HUNDREDS of Brits saw their travel plans plunged into chaos after a tech glitch yesterday - here's what to do if your flight was affected.
If your trip was delayed or cancelled, you could be entitled to compensation.
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Find out your flight compensation rights
Credit: Getty
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.
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But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight.
This could even be with another airline.
However, 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.
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Most read in News Travel
Some airlines may stretch the definition of "extraordinary circumstances" but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
If you can't claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Furious Virgin passengers stranded at military base after flyer's 'panic attack'
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.
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If your flight is cancelled entirely, you're unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
This comes after
Most of these cancellations were at London Heathrow, with 29 departures and 17 arrivals.
But Gatwick, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Manchester Airports were all affected by the tech glitch.
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A spokesperson for NATS said the issue was related to radar.
There is no evidence the disruption was down to a cyber incident, according to the official body.
NATS said in a statement: "This was a radar-related issue which was resolved by quickly switching to the back-up system during which time we reduced traffic to ensure safety.
"There is no evidence that this was cyber related."
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Despite flight schedules getting back on track by yesterday evening, aviation experts have warned disruption could continue across the next few days.
The Sun's head of travel
Lisa Minot
previously advised what you should do if travelling this summer
.
She said: "Whatever happens if it is [your flight] delayed or cancelled for reasons outside of the the airlines control, then unfortunately there is no compensation due.
"But the airline does have a duty of care to look after you.
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"If your flight is cancelled and it is the airline's fault ... then you could be due compensation.
"It could be anything up to £520."
Lisa also explained what to do if the airline claims a situation was outside of their control.
"If your
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"That doesn't necessarily mean you have to wait for your airline to provide you with another flight on a different day.
"if you can fly on the day that you're due to travel with a different airline and get yourself to your destination, the airline would have to pay for that.
"If you are in that situation and you urgently have to get somewhere, what you should be looking at is not just the flights from your airline, but alternative airlines.
"That could be going out of different
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In addition to making sure passengers reach their destinations, airlines also have a duty of care to look after passengers whose flights have been delayed or cancelled.
Lisa added: "That would involve
"On top of that, if you are delayed overnight, then the airline is actually responsible for finding you a hotel accommodation.
"That might not always be possible with a significant number of people involved, over 100,000 were involved in flight cancellations earlier this summer, in that case, make sure you keep all your receipts.
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"Book a meal, book
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Chaos was sparked yesterday when 150 flights were cancelled
Credit: Getty
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