Bridgend County Borough Council’s Trading Standards department is reminding passengers whose flights have been delayed or cancelled due to the ongoing travel problems caused by volcanic ash to contact their travel agents or tour operators if the flight was an element of a package holiday.
Anyone having booked their flight independently should contact the airline directly to request a date for rescheduled flights or a refund.
Many people will have reserved hotels or other types of accommodation independently therefore it’s advisable to enquire about the possibility of arranging alternative dates.
Hotels are not obliged to reschedule dates free of charge or issue refunds in these instances, but there may be an element of flexibility if enquiries are made.
It is also advisable for passengers to contact their travel insurers to check if compensation is available.
Airlines and tour operators are not obliged to pay compensation under these circumstances; however, travel insurance terms and conditions do sometimes allow consumers to claim for inconvenience.
If anyone would like additional advice they should contact Consumer Direct by visiting www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/ or by calling 0845 4040506.
