Plane passengers often mistakenly believe they're not entitled to compensation if their flight is cancelled due to weather, according to a travel lawyer.
The mercury has dropped significantly in the UK this week, and colder weather is to come.
An arctic blast blowing in from the east is expected to bring temperatures as low as minus 8 degrees overnight on Wednesday and into Thursday, with smatterings of the white stuff possible in many areas across the UK.
Cold, icy and snowy weather likely means more cancelled and delayed flights and trains, before the planned rail and aviation strikes have begun.
According to Coby Benson, flight delay compensation solicitor at Bott and Co, many passengers are confused about their rights when it comes to weather linked delays.
“It’s a common misconception that bad weather is always an extraordinary circumstance, which would stop the airlines having to pay compensation," he said.
"However, delays caused by weather conditions that are not considered ‘freakish’ or ‘wholly exceptional’ are indeed covered by the regulation and many passengers could be owed compensation of up to £520 each.
"With a cold snap around the corner, passengers flying should be prepared for delays and cancellations and know their rights under EU Regulation 261/2004, which has been written into UK law, meaning Brexit doesn’t affect people’s legal entitlements.”
For cancelled flights with more than 14 days’ notice, passengers are entitled to a full refund of the cost they paid for the flight or a replacement flight or comparable transport arrangements at the earliest available opportunity.
They also have the option of a free flight at a later date if they no longer wish to travel.
For flights cancelled within fourteen days of the departure, the same applies, but passengers may also be eligible for compensation if the reason for the cancellation is not extraordinary.
Regardless of the reason for the hold up, if a flight is delayed for between two and four hours, airlines have a duty to provide passengers with adequate care and assistance.
This includes food and drink vouchers as well as two telephone calls and emails.
Passengers delayed overnight must be provided with accommodation, including transport there and back to the airport.
Anyone affected by a delayed or cancelled flight can check to see if they are eligible to claim compensation by using Bott and Cos's free flight claim checker.
