Travellers told ‘check this’ before travel if flights cancelled
Many holidaymakers are concerned their summer flights could be at risk, as disruptions to jet fuel supplies have prompted some airlines to cancel and reschedule services. Adding to the unease, hantavirus has sparked fresh anxiety among passengers who fear a repeat of the flight chaos during the Covid pandemic. While health experts, including BBC's Dr Xand, have reassured the public that hantavirus is "not like Covid", a travel specialist has set out exactly what rights passengers hold should their flight be cancelled under such circumstances. Hannah Mayfield explained: "If your flight is cancelled because of a global health emergency or another major disruption outside the airline's control, passengers are still entitled under UK261 to either a full refund or alternative flight. "That obligation remains firmly with the airline, even in extraordinary circumstances. What may not apply, however, is additional compensation. "We saw significant confusion around this during the coronavirus pandemic."
Passengers still have rights if their flights are cancelled due to global health emergencies
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The travel money expert from specialist travel insurance comparison website PayingTooMuch urged passengers to understand the "crucial" difference between the two, warning that some travellers wrongly assume that if they are not entitled to compensation, they are not entitled to anything at all. Ultimately, the expert reassured those with upcoming flights: "The key message for travellers this summer is not to panic, but to understand where responsibility sits before problems arise. Knowing your rights in advance makes it much easier to act quickly and avoid unnecessary stress or expense if your faced with disruptions." She went on to explain: "Airlines are responsible for passenger rights linked to the flight itself, including refunds, rebooking, and assistance during disruption. "Travel insurance, by contrast, is there to protect against wider personal financial risks such as cancellation due to illness, emergency medical treatment abroad and repatriation as well as things like baggage lost items and in some cases irrecoverable costs that cannot be recovered from airlines or travel providers depending on the cover." Reviewing your travel insurance policy and payment method prior to departure can also provide additional peace of mind. The expert advised: "It's equally important to read the travel insurance policy carefully before travelling. "Many people only discover exclusions relating to pandemics, wider disruption, or government travel advisories when they come to make a claim." Hannah pointed out that those who purchased their flight using a credit card could benefit from Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, which can "provide valuable additional protection in some instances". Those who paid by debit card, however, may find themselves with "less robust" protections.
