RAIL companies are offering free travel to passengers dealing with cancellations due to the impact of an air traffic control fault.
The issue started on Monday, when more than a quarter of flights at UK airports were cancelled leaving tens of thousands of people stranded.
GettySome rail companies are offering airline passengers free travel following distruption[/caption]
ATC provider National Air Traffic Services (Nats) suffered what it described as a “technical issue” preventing it from automatically processing flight plans.
This resulted in flights to and from UK airports being restricted while the plans were checked manually.
The Sun has put a guide together on how you can claim compensation if your flight is delayed or cancelled.
But rail companies have stepped in to offer free travel to those who are experiencing delays. We reveal the full list.
LNER
LNER is offering free standard class travel for those affected by the technical issue.
This could be anyone whose flight back to the UK has resulted in them landing in a different location, or who is travelling on a different date than originally planned.
Customers will be asked to present their airline ticket or boarding pass to prove that they have been affected.
They can even make a free seat reservation for their journey via https://www.lner.co.uk/travel-information/travelling-now/travel-alerts/.
But today is the last day customers will be able to make the most of the offer.
LNER operates services on the East Coast Mainline between England and Scotland.
TransPennine Express (TPE)
TransPennine Express (TPE) is allowing customers returning home from holiday following the glitch free travel in standard class until Thursday.
This includes people who are arriving back in the UK on an alternate date, time or at a different airport.
Passengers will need to present their airline ticket, boarding pass, or email confirmation as proof of the disruption.
The operator runs services between major cities in Northern England and Scotland.
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Consumer rights relating to flights from the UK and EU airports are set by rules known as EC261, which provide important safeguards to passengers that are applicable at all times.
Broadly, airlines should do everything they can to keep their passengers up to date on the situation, providing them with food and accommodation while waiting and doing their best to get them to their destination as quickly as possible.
While EC261 does provide for cash compensation in some circumstances, this does not apply when cancellations or long delays are due to “extraordinary circumstances” – or those beyond the airline’s control.
Airlines have a duty of care to passengers who are delayed or face cancellation regardless of the reason.
This means airlines must provide information to their passengers on their rights as well as care and assistance, such as providing meals and providing hotel accommodation – including transfers to and from the hotel – for overnight delays.
The point at which airlines must step in with help depends on the length of the journey: this should be after a two-hour delay on short flights up to 1,500km, after three hours for flights of between 1,500km and 3,500km, and four hours on longer flights.
What are my flight options?
Whether or not the disruption is caused by “extraordinary circumstances”, the airline must get passengers to their destination as quickly as possible.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) advises that when a flight is cancelled, passengers must be offered the choice of a refund, alternative flights at the earliest opportunity, or re-routing at a later date, subject to availability.
This means re-routing on any airline, not just the one you originally booked with.
For example, if your booking is with Ryanair, but a BA, easyJet or Wizz flight gets you back earlier, then Ryanair should put you on it.
Airlines must help passengers by clearly setting out these options to them.
It is also open to airlines to offer incentives to passengers to encourage them to fly at a later date, for example by providing vouchers of a higher value.
If you are flown to a different arrival airport, the airline must also meet reasonable onward travel costs.
Am I entitled to be paid if I can’t turn up due to the disruption?
Employees should talk to their employer about working from where they are (if possible), taking leave or making time up later if they cannot get to work because of travel disruption.
Rights about travel disruption can be outlined in the employment contract – employees should check this first.
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