AROUND 20 more flights have been cancelled today due to the ongoing air traffic control (ATC) problems.
During the weekend, hundreds of flights were cancelled due to a number of travel issues.
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Along with bad weather, ATC shortages resulted in around 240 flight cancellations by British Airways alone over the weekend.
As many as 40,000 passengers were affected, the Independent reports.
And easyJet were forced to cancel more than 60 flights to and from the UK, with Wizz Air and Vueling also affected.
But more flights have been cancelled today due to the ongoing problems.
Read more on cancelled flights
British Airways has cancelled eight flights at London Heathrow, as well as six at London Gatwick.
And easyJet has also had to cancel more flights today, affecting at least six across Europe.
A Nats (the air traffic control provider) spokesperson said the restriction were due to “short-notice staff absence” as well as due to “adverse weather across the UK”.
They add: “We apologise sincerely for the inconvenience and are working closely with the airport and airlines to try and keep disruption to a minimum.”
A British Airways spokesperson told Sun Online Travel: “We operate hundreds of flights every day without disruption, successfully getting tens of thousands of our customers to where they need to be.
“Along with other airlines, we’ve had to make some small adjustments to our schedule because of air traffic control restrictions caused by adverse weather.
“Whilst the vast majority of our customers will be unaffected, we apologise for any inconvenience caused and our teams are working hard to help get journeys back on track.”
However, easyJet previously said: “We are extremely disappointed that customers are once again being impacted by this and while this is outside of our control, we are sorry for the inconvenience caused.”
And Ryanair has even called for the the boss of Nats to resign due to the ongoing problems.
They said: “This is the latest in a long line of cock ups by UK NATS, which has yet again disrupted multiple flights and thousands of passengers at Gatwick.
“Airlines and passengers deserve better.”
Back in June, more than 60 Ryanair flights were cancelled and 150 delayed due to similar ATC shortages.
Wizz Air and easyJet were also affected.
And in July, thousands of passengers were hit by cancelled flights, affecting both easyJet and British Airways.
Why are so many flights being cancelled?
The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot has explained why so many flights are being cancelled.
YET again, hundreds of thousands of passengers have had holiday plans torn to shreds by air traffic control problems and weather chaos.
Staff shortages at Gatwick’s Air Traffic Control on Sunday – the third time this year that last-minute sickness has seen hundreds of flights cancelled – are still causing delays and cancellations into Monday.
It comes after a weekend of travel mayhem across our two largest airports.
Aviation analytics firm Cirium said a total of 427 flights were cancelled departing the UK last week, two per cent of all scheduled departures and a 223 per cent increase over the week before.
The troubles at both are being blamed on air traffic control restrictions, staff sickness and a weekend of thunderstorms.
But there’s no doubt, delays and cancellations are getting worse as ever-more flights take to increasingly-congested skies.
No-fly restrictions due to the Ukraine war and the Middle Eastern conflict have meant UK and European air traffic controllers are funnelling ever more planes through busy skies.
But the common issue both here and across the Channel increasingly comes from staff shortages and last-minute sickness.
The system is stretched to breaking point and it doesn’t take much for the pack of cards to come tumbling down.
The pandemic laid waste to the aviation industry and some four years on it still has an impact. It takes a minimum of three years to train an air traffic controller.
The UK currently has fewer officers than in 2019, according to trade union Prospect and the pace of retirements is causing even more pressure.
In Europe, similar problems mean when staff shortages or weather conditions cause issues, the only solution is to restrict the number of flights in the skies, leading to the mass cancellations and delays.
Around 60 flights were cancelled between the two airlines, caused by both bad weather and ATC problems.
And a number of Italian airports were affected by strike action over the weekend, hitting destinations including Rome, Florence and Milan.
Flight compensation rules
A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
Sadly, Brits won’t be able to claim compensation as the cancellations fall under “extraordinary circumstances” as it was out of the airline’s control.
However, affected passengers will be offered alternative flights or full refunds.
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