Thousands of Britons are facing travel chaos due to the strikes by French air traffic controllers.

Ryanair cancelled 250 flights on Wednesday, Easy Jet cancelled 118, and British Airways and Flybe were amongst others to announce cancellations.

But what does this mean for customers? What are you entitled to claim for?

Travel Insurance

At JustTravelCover.com we have liaised with our insurer partners and can confirm that customers who arranged their policy prior to 7th April 2015 are entitled to claim for the following: (subject to terms and conditions)

Travel Delay

As this is deemed to be a strike, travel insurers would normally deal with any claims as per the policy terms and conditions.

Abandonment

If the delay in departing the UK exceeds the specified terms in the policy wording then unused travel and accommodation costs which cannot be reimbursed will generally be refunded.

Please note that there would be no cover under the cancellation section of the policy.

There is no cover for customers who arranged their policies on or after 7th April 2015, as the strike would be deemed to be a known event.

Any customers who are stranded abroad as a result of the strikes should arrange to contact our office to ensure they are correctly covered whilst abroad.

The Airline

EU regulation 261/2004 states that you cannot claim financial compensation for a long flight delay in extraordinary circumstances such as air traffic controller strikes, however the airline is obliged to offer its passengers care and assistance while they wait for a replacement flight including:

Food and drink in reasonable relation to waiting time.

Free hotel accommodation when a stay of one or more night is necessary.

Free transport between the airport and the hotel.

Two free telephone calls, emails, telex or fax messages.

If you have been delayed due to extraordinary circumstances but the airline has failed to meet its obligations and you have found yourself out of pocket – paying for hotel accommodation. Please visit the following website where you can download a template letter of claim to send to your airline: www.bottonline.co.uk/flight-delay-compensation

Sources: http://www.bottonline.co.uk/flight-delay-compensation

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/aviation/11521543/Flights-hit-by-air-traffic-controller-strike.html