Advice for travellers affected by airport delays because
of the cloud of volcanic dust blown over to the UK from
Iceland is being offered by North Somerset Trading
Standards.
"Consumers are currently being advised by
Bristol Airport to
contact their airline for up-to-date information before leaving
home," commented Trading Standards officer Helen
Heskins. "Further consumer advice can be obtained from
Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 or by checking our website at
www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/northsomerset."
The Trading Standards Institute has issued the following advice
for those facing disruption to their travel plans:
Passengers whose flights have been delayed or cancelled due to
the cloud of volcanic dust blown over to the UK from Iceland
have the following rights under the Regulation 261/2004 Air
Passenger Rights.
- Consumers in this instance are entitled to a refund or
re-routing if the flight is cancelled
- If re-routing is offered from an alternative location, the
airline shall bear the cost of transferring
- In the event of re-routing, the consumer is entitled to meals
and refreshments, hotel accommodation (if necessary), transport
between airport and accommodation, two free telephone calls, faxes
or emails
- In the event of delay, where the delay is over two hours, they
are entitled to refreshments, hotel accommodation, transport and
telephone calls etc
- If the delay is over five hours, consumers are also entitled to
a refund or re-routing
In cases of ‘extraordinary circumstances’ like this, which are
beyond the airlines’ control, consumers are not entitled to
compensation.
Consumers should also check their travel insurance as they
may be entitled to more under their individual policies.
For further advice UK passengers travelling with a UK airline
should contact Consumer Direct by visiting
http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/
or phoning 08454 040506, other passengers can contact the UK
European Consumer Centre, hosted by the Trading Standards
Institute, by visiting
http://www.ukecc.net/default.asp
or phoning 08456 04 05 03.
