BRITS booking a last minute half-term holiday are being warned how likely they are to have their trip interrupted by flight delays this October.
Getaways to popular hotspots for this time of year including Majorca, Portugal and Crete come with as much of a 35%* chance of a delay. Something families on the hunt for a holiday during the school break should consider.
By identifying trends in flight data from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)*, the travel experts at airFair, the UK’s first flight delay compensation app, have revealed how likely families are to experience delays when travelling to five European destinations.
Over a third of flights have a chance of not departing on time to Cyprus (35%*), Portugal (33%*) and Tenerife (32%*), with trips to Majorca and Crete not faring much better, both with a 29%* chance.
As many families go in search of overseas sun to escape the gloomy autumn weather, the increase in passenger numbers and pressure on the system is just one of the reasons why many trips could be disrupted.
Families affected are advised to know their rights ahead of travelling when it comes to claiming for compensation following a flight delay. A family of four delayed for more than three hours on their way from Stansted to Majorca could be entitled to as much as €3,200 in compensation.
Will Smith, head of airFair, said: “For many families October half-term is a chance to enjoy a break in the sun before the rush of Christmas arrives. The convenience of short-haul flying and competitive fares means more people are travelling abroad, especially during peak times like school holidays, which can result in flight delays being more likely.
“Experiencing a delay is never pleasant, and is increasingly difficult for families travelling with children, having to think about keeping little ones entertained in unfamiliar surroundings. This is why anyone affected should know their rights when it comes to claiming compensation, as people are often not aware that passengers of any age are entitled to compensation, including small children and toddlers.”
EU regulation states that passengers are entitled to compensation if a flight is delayed by more than three hours from an airport which resides in the European Union or was en-route to an EU member state.
Compensation claims can be submitted from as early as in the departure lounge via the airFair app which is free to download from the App Store on iOS and Android. Claims can also be submitted online at www.airfair.com.