ABTA have advised that Spanish air traffic controllers plan to strike on the following dates:

25^th July 2015 from 0800 - 1100 UTC

26^th July 2015 from 1500 – 1800 UTC

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 22nd July 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 22nd July 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

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