Heathrow airport shutdown: What rights do you have to flight compensation?
Heathrow Airport on Friday experienced a complete shutdown due to a severe fire, disrupting hundreds of thousands of passengers.
Airlines are obligated to provide care for stranded passengers, including meals and accommodations, but are not required to offer compensation as the fire was beyond their control.
Passenger rights vary depending on the flight's origin and the airline. Flights from the UK and EU are covered by EC261/UK261 regulations, which stipulate care and compensation for cancellations and significant delays.
For flights originating outside the UK/EU on non-EU/UK airlines, passengers have limited rights, and travel insurance may be necessary to cover expenses.
Passengers can claim compensation for cancellations or delays exceeding three hours, unless the airline demonstrates "extraordinary circumstances."
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