I’m a consumer expert – here are your rights if flights are cancelled or delayed

THOUSANDS of Scots holidaymakers are facing a summer nightmare as their flights are either cancelled or they face huge delays and queues at airports.

Hols giant TUI announced earlier this week it was axing nearly 200 flights to popular holiday resorts throughout this month from Manchester – including destinations popular with Scots that can’t be reached from here.

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British Airways and easyJet have also been axing hundreds of flights a week and even for those which do take off, passengers are facing huge queues at airports, often snaking outside the terminal.

It comes amid staff shortages in the aviation industry – particularly in security and baggage handling – after thousands of workers were let go during the Covid pandemic.

Now charity Advice Direct Scotland, which runs the national consumeradvice.scot service, has published guidance on your rights and what you are entitled to if your flights is cancelled or delayed.

You can claim for ‘Denied Boarding Regulation’ or ‘EU Regulation 261/2004’ if your delayed or cancelled flight was booked with a UK or European airline, departing from the UK or Europe.

If your delay is two hours or more for short haul flights you may be entitled to meals and refreshments and accommodation or hotel transfers if an overnight stay is required.

For medium haul flights of two to four hours, the delay must be three hours or more to claim compensation and entitlements, rising to four hours for long haul journeys.

If the delay lasts longer than five hours, you can choose between being rerouted on a different flight or getting a refund.

Compensation can be claimed where less than 14 days’ notice was given for the cancellation.

The amount will vary but usually starts at €125 (approx £106) for a short haul flight of under 932 miles, rising to €600 (approx £510) if you were booked on a long haul flight (over 2,175 miles) which is delayed for more than four hours.

Colin Mathieson, spokesperson for Advice Direct Scotland, said: “It is important for people to understand their rights in relation to the refunds, compensation and assistance they are entitled to, and how to go about claiming it.

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“We have published an overview of some of the most commonly-asked questions on our consumeradvice.scot website.

“We also have a team of expert advisors on hand to offer free, practical and importation advice and information about delayed or cancelled flights, and on a range of other consumer-related issues.

“You can contact consumeradvice.scot on 0808 164 6000.”

HOW MUCH CAN I CLAIM

Flight distance up to 1,500km (932 miles) – arriving more than 3 hours late – entitled to €250
Any flight in EU over 1,500km (932 miles) or any other flight between 1,500km-3,500km (2,175 miles) – arriving more than 3 hours late – entitled to €400
Flight distance more than 3,500km (2,175 miles) – arriving between 3 and 4 hours late – entitled to €300
Flight distance more than 3,500km (2,175 miles) – arriving more than 4 hours late – entitled to €600.
How long do I have to do this?
You can make a claim for delayed flights up to six years after the delayed or cancelled flight – as long as you flew in/out of a UK airport.

EXTRA OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES YOU CAN CLAIM

You may be entitled to additional compensation in addition to that owed under EU Regulations 261/2004. Under the Montreal Convention, you may be able to claim compensation if the delay or cancellation caused you to –
Miss a night of pre-booked accommodation
Miss a concert/event you have bought tickets for
Miss a day of car rental you have already paid for

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