Airport Disruption Today: Your rights if flight from Scotland is delayed or cancelled - including compensation
Affected by the disruption at air traffic control in Scotland today? Here is what you need to you about your rights, including if you are entitled to compensation.
Flights across large parts of the UK are being disrupted due to a “technical issue" at a an air traffic control centre in Scotland, causing huge disruption for travellers.
According to National Air Traffic Services (Nats), engineers have been called in to deal with an issue at Prestwick Centre, the location which controls flights across Scotland and north England.
Passengers at airports including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Prestwick, Dundee and more in Scotland are sharing news about delays on social media, with airports such as Belfast and Manchester also reporting issues.
For those affected by the disruption - whether it is delays or cancellations - here is exactly what you need to know about your flight compensation rights.
Scotland Flight Disruption: My flight has been delayed, what happens now?
In the UK, anyone who has been affected by “significant” flight disruption is entitled to care and assistance by law. However, there are different levels at which this care will be provided.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) this “right to care” clause will kick in should your flight be delayed beyond it’s scheduled departure time:
- For flights under 1,500km, by at least two hours
- For flights between 1,500km and 3,500km, by at least three hours
- For flights over 3,500km, by at least four hours
If your booking includes two or more flights, compensation is based on the distance between the first and then last airport on your ticket. Not sure about the total distance of your flight? Sites such as the Great Circle Map can help you calculate exactly how many km you are travelling.
Regardless of reason for delay, if a flight meets the above criteria for disruption passengers must be: provided with food and drink, which often comes in the form of a voucher to be used at the airport; access to two phone calls or emails; and accommodation for flights delayed overnight, which should include transport between the airport and the accommodation. This should all be arranged automatically by the airline for any impacted passenger.
If no care is offered, there is also the option to organise your own care and then claim it back later. However, there are more rules to this option and airline websites and specific terms and conditions should be researched first.
Can I claim flight delay compensation?
Airlines do not have to pay if the delay has been caused by “extraordinary circumstances”, which the current flight disruption in Scotland and other parts of the UK will likely be considered as.
Airlines only need to pay compensation if passengers arrive more than three hours late to the destination airport, and if the delay is the airline’s fault.
It is unlikely compensation will be made available in this situation, as the issue is being caused by issues at Glasgow Prestwick’s air traffic control.
Passengers can find out more about their rights here.
My flight has been cancelled because of the airport disruption in Scotland, what can I do?
Despite “extraordinary circumstances”, airlines must still help you reach your final destination.
This can be achieved either by them reorganising flights, or asking you to do so and then claim back expenses. If you are taking the second option, keep costs down (for example, don’t book business class if you were originally in standard) and keep every receipt possible.
You are entitled to this as a travellers, regardless of what caused the cancellation.
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What happens if I miss a connecting flight because of the flight disruptions from Scotland?
Unlucky travellers who will miss a connecting flight due to airport disruption in Scotland have a few options to consider.
If you have booked both flights under a single tickets, your airline must rebook you on the next available flight and at no extra cost. In the case that no flights are available, the airline must return you to your original departure airport.
For those who have booked two separate flights - no matter if it is with the same airline or a different one - then unfortunately you will lose money. The responsibility for return flights or onward travel will fall solely to yourself.
My flight has been diverted, what are my options?
For those who were unfortunate enough to be mid-flight when all of the chaos at air traffic control in Scotland started, it is possible your flight has been diverted to another airport to land.
If this has happened to you, your airline must provide transport to your intended destination, with further information likely to provided by the airline via email.
Can I get a refund for my flight?
If you have been delayed by at least five hours when traveling, you can choose not to travel and request a refund for flights which have yet to be taken.
This will differ slightly if a ticket includes more than one flight, but if you still wish to travel this isn’t the option for you. However, it may be good for those who are start their journey from an airport in Scotland, Northern Ireland or the north of England to know.
I am due to fly from Scotland today - should I still go to the airport?
If you are supposed to fly from any airport in Scotland today, then keep up to date with the latest advice from both your airline and the airport you are due to travel from.
Guidance will be issued via official channels and social media, with passengers advised to keep up with the latest news where possible.
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