Fair deal for South West and Gibraltar flyers

12.48.44pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 17th Feb 2005

New EU laws that enter into force today (Thursday February 17) should provide comfort for holidaymakers from the South West and Gibraltar who are stranded at airports because of flight delays and cancellations, says a local Euro-MP.

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.

From today increased financial compensation will be given to passengers denied boarding due to overbooking of flights. Passengers on short flight will receive around £170, an extra £70 on top of current rates, with compensation for longer flights doubled to around £420.

South West and Gibraltar Euro-MP Graham Watson argues that airlines have got to accept minimum standards of public service.

He said:

"If low cost airlines are here to stay, as looks likely, then they cannot build their businesses on the basis of cutting corners and overbooking. Customers should have rights to fair treatment and protection from shoddy service even when they might be getting a bargain if all goes well."

The new law will also mean that for the first time passengers whose flights have been cancelled or delayed will be compensated for the inconvenience. This will also extend to holidaymakers on charter flights as well as scheduled departures.

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. Travellers who are delayed will receive a full refund if the delay is over two hours for short flights or over four hours for longer flights.

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.