Rights reminder for North West holidaymakers

3.20.43pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 30th Jun 2005

With summer holidays just around the corner, a local campaigner, Simon Davey is reminding Congleton travellers that they can now claim compensation for delayed or cancelled flights.

Each year around one quarter of a million passengers get a nasty surprise when checking in for flights in airports across the EU. Airlines often overbook flights to make more money as they expect passengers not to turn up. But occasionally too many people turn up for a flight and some unfortunate passengers get left behind.

Check In desks at a major European Airport

But Simon has highlighted that EU legislation came in to force earlier this year meaning that for the first time passengers whose flights have been cancelled or delayed must be compensated for their inconvenience. This applies to all airlines and flights flying to or from an EU airport.

He said: "Many Congleton holidaymakers may not be aware of their new rights for compensation if a flight is delayed or cancelled. Travellers on charter flights as well as scheduled departures are given extra compensation under the new rules."

Passengers whose flights are cancelled will now be entitled to receive the same level of compensation as those denied boarding, as well as a choice of a full refund or an alternative flight.

Passengers on short flights will receive around £170, with compensation for longer flights doubled to around £420.

Simon claims airlines should be doing more to advise passengers of the new law by displaying clear signs at check in desks.

He said: "The law says that a message informing passengers of their rights must be clearly displayed at the check in desk. As someone who is a frequent flyer I haven't noticed any posters or leaflets telling passengers of their new rights at any of the airports I fly from. If they have been displayed they don't appear to be as prominent as they should be."

In addition to financial compensation passengers who are delayed, denied boarding or have a cancelled flight must be provided with meals, refreshments and if necessary, hotel accommodation.