Passengers flying home for Christmas have been warned to prepare for more than a 50% chance of delays to their journey if events follow a similar path to last year, new research shows.
More than 4 million people flew over the festive period in the UK in 2013, and the Association of British Travel Agents predicts similar numbers this year.
In 2013, more than half the departures from Gatwick, Luton, and Stansted were delayed by more than 15 minutes, and more than 40% of flights from Manchester and nearly a third of those from Heathrow were delayed by at least 45 minutes, according to research by law firm Bott & Co.
In December last year, 198 from Heathrow, 118 from Gatwick, and dozens more at Stansted, Manchester, and Glasgow, were all delayed by more than three hours – the threshold beyond which airlines may have to pay compensation to passengers.
Under EU law, if a flight arrives at its destination over three hours late then passengers may be entitled to compensation, unless the delay was caused by “extraordinary circumstance”, which includes extreme weather conditions.
However, even if a flight is cancelled due to the weather, airlines are expected to provide free food and drink, and possibly hotel accommodation if a flight is delayed by over two hours.
Despite the regulations to protect passengers, airlines have a habit of trying to turn down their claims for compensation, with many cases each year referred to the Civil Aviation Authority.
While airlines should provide help to stranded travellers, passengers should also be covered by travel insurance and plan ahead.
Insurance companies often provide useful hints and tips for travelling, but as a general rule passengers are advised to give themselves at least 24 hours leeway to reach their destination, especially when travelling at times when weather disruption is most likely, such as during the Christmas period in the UK when the cold weather bites.
