Air traffic control chaos: What are your rights if your flight is affected?
Hundreds of flights were cancelled on Monday after the UK’s air traffic control systems were hit by a major technical fault – with thousands of passengers stranded.
And amid concerns that disruption could last well into this week, Britons stuck abroad – and those planning to travel in the coming days – will want to know what their rights are.
There’s good news and bad news. While you’re entitled to some support, airlines do not have to provide compensation for delays and cancellations because these technical faults are classified as “extraordinary circumstances”.
Impact could last for days – live updates
Pic: Brad Sutton
Airlines do have an obligation to keep passengers comfortable in the event of a “significant delay” – with the Civil Aviation Authority setting out a clear definition of what meets this threshold.
You’ll qualify for support if a short-haul flight under 932 miles (1,500km) is pushed back by two hours. This rises to three hours for journeys up to 2,175 miles (3,500km).
For long-haul flights going any further than this, four hours or longer counts as a significant delay.
This applies to all passengers flying from a UK airport, returning to the country on a British or European airline, or arriving in the EU on a UK carrier.
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Hundreds ‘stranded in shocking conditions’
What am I entitled to?
In the event of a significant delay, airlines must give passengers:
• A reasonable amount of food and drink
• Refunds for the cost of two free phone calls, faxes or emails
• Accommodation for passengers stranded overnight
• Transport to a hotel – or their home
Of course, when there are hundreds of passengers who need assistance, airlines may be unable to organise this support in a timely manner.
Because of this, the Civil Aviation Authority says affected consumers have the right to make their own “reasonable” arrangements – but they must keep receipts in order to be reimbursed.
“Reasonable” is a key word here, and you might not receive full compensation if you book a five-star hotel or have alcohol with your meals.
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‘I can’t get home to my nine-month-old baby’
Will I get compensation?
This is where the bad news kicks in.
Usually, airlines do have to provide compensation if their flights arrive three hours late – but air traffic control problems don’t count because these technical issues aren’t their fault.
And if you agree to travel on a later flight, the airline is no longer obliged to offer food, drink or accommodation while you wait.
Thankfully, you are entitled to a full refund if you decide to abandon your journey after five hours of delays.
What if I’m about to travel?
Transfer passengers who end up missing a connecting flight because their first plane was delayed are entitled to a service back to their original departure point.
But things get a little more complicated for passengers on package holidays – especially if they decide not to travel on a delayed outbound flight.
The CAA’s guidance says: “You may lose your holiday too, so we recommend you contact your package organiser or the airline for further information.
“If you still want to travel then your airline must get you to your destination. You might have to be patient while they rearrange transport and rebook passengers, but the law says they must get you there.”
Many travellers end up booking their flights, hotels and excursions separately – and if you’re unable to cancel your accommodation or activities, you may be able to claim back on your travel insurance if it’s a comprehensive policy.
Counter-terrorism police are investigating after an incident involving a crossbow and a firearm left two women injured in Leeds.
Police were called to Otley Road at 2.47pm on Saturday to reports of a “serious incident involving a man seen with weapons”, West Yorkshire Police said.
Officers arrived at the scene to find two women injured – and a 38-year-old man with a self-inflicted injury. All three were taken to hospital, with the man held under arrest, but their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
“Two weapons have been recovered from the scene, which were a crossbow and a firearm,” Counter Terrorism Policing North East said in a statement.
The incident happened on the ‘Otley Run’ pub crawl, with one venue saying it was closed for the evening due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
Officers guard one of the crime scenes
Officers inside the cordon in Leeds
Counter Terrorism Policing’s statement added: “Due to the circumstances surrounding the incident, Counter Terrorism Policing North East have taken responsibility for leading the investigation with the support of West Yorkshire Police.
“Extensive enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances and explore any potential motivation.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described it as a “serious violent incident” and said she was being kept updated by police.
“Thank you to the police and emergency services for their swift response,” she said. “My thoughts are with the victims and all those affected by this attack.”
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Wrexham AFC have been promoted for the third season in a row.
The North Wales-based side has gone from the National League to the Championship in just three seasons, under its Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Wrexham were second in the table and had a run of eight games unbeaten ahead of their match against Charlton Athletic on Saturday, which they won 3-0.
Wrexham’s James McClean lifts the League One trophy. Pic: PA
Wrexham’s Dan Scarr celebrates with the fans on the pitch after Wrexham won promotion to the Championship. Pic: PA
It is the first time any club has been promoted for three consecutive seasons within the top five tiers of English football.
The third oldest association football club in the world, Wrexham AFC was bought by Reynolds and McElhenney in 2020, and has since been the subject of a Disney+ documentary, Welcome To Wrexham.
Reynolds, wearing a Wrexham sweatshirt, and McElhenney were pictured celebrating each goal, and after the game, as the fans came onto the pitch at the SToK Cae Ras (Racecourse Ground) to celebrate the victory with the players.
Wrexham co-owners Rob McElhenney (L) and Ryan Reynolds and Ryan’s wife Blake Lively, before the match. Pic: PA
Both stars came onto the pitch after the supporters returned to the stands.
Speaking to Sky Sports, McElhenney praised those behind the scenes, referring to “so many that don’t get the credit they deserve, people who aren’t talked about”.
Reynolds said bringing success back to the club “seemed like an impossible dream” when they arrived in North Wales in 2020.
Wrexham’s Sam Smith celebrates in front of the fans after Wrexham won promotion to the Championship. Pic: PA
He put the three promotions down to “the coaching staff, the greatest dressing room” and an “all for one, one for all” attitude throughout the club, adding he was “speechless with their commitment and their emotion”.
As for the mouth-watering prospect of another promotion to the promised land of the Premier League, the pair agreed it was “for tomorrow”, before ending the interview with a joint mic-drop.
Veteran striker Steven Fletcher said, “as soon as I came to this club, I knew it was something special. We want to go again. We’ll reset in the summer, take a break and go again”.
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