EasyJet and Ryanair cancel hundreds of flights as chaos affects 300,000 flyers
EasyJet and Ryanair are amongst the airlines that were forced to cancel hundreds of flights due to strike action by French Air Traffic Controllers this week.
Ryanair's CEO Michael O'Leary said that the airline had been forced to cancel over 400 flights due to the disruption, affecting over 70,000 passengers. Meanwhile easyJet had to cancel 274 flights across the two days.
It's estimated that around 1,500 flights in total were cancelled or disrupted by the industrial action, with a quarter of flights at Paris Orly and Paris Charles de Gaulle reported to have been cancelled.
The industrial action on Thursday 3 July and Friday 4 July is believed to have impacted around 300,000 passengers, with routes to airports including Paris, Lyon and Marseille all affected.
The French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) asked for a reduction in airport capacity across the country, meaning airlines were left with no choice but to cancel flights.
The UNSA-ICNA union - the second largest union for air traffic controllers in France - is calling for increased staffing levels and a pay rise. The third-largest ATC union, USAC-CGT, also issued a strike notice for Thursday 3 July. The move came on the eve of the school summer holidays in France.
Unfortunately, passengers affected by air traffic control strikes may not be able to get all of their money back, as airlines may be able to claim 'extraordinary circumstances' ie that were out of their control, and therefore you may not be entitled to a full refund.
READ MORE: Brits heading to Spain, France and Greece this summer issued '24-hour warning'
According to the experts at MoneySuperMarket, you would only be eligible for extra compensation if you are made aware of strikes less than 14 days before the flight. However, that doesn't mean you'll be left fully out of pocket, as travel insurance may be able to cover you depending on when you booked your ticket.
Kara Gammell, who works for the comparison site, explains: "As long as the airline strikes were announced after you booked your trip and your travel insurance, you may be able to claim through your insurer. Always check the terms and conditions of a policy before you buy it as not all travel insurance providers offer cover for airline strikes.
"If your policy includes travel disruption cover though, then it might be possible to claim for disruption or losses incurred as a result of your trip being delayed or cancelled. This may include alternative accommodation, or expenses incurred such as travel, food and drink, and can even stretch to covering the full cost of your holiday should you end up not being able to go.
"However, it is worth noting that not all policies cover this as standard and cover levels, conditions and exclusions can vary between providers, making it important to check with your insurer as your first port of call."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
42 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Off-grid, but still online: £5 Billion Scottish Staycation boom boosted by O2's network upgrades
As millions of Brits head on a staycation this summer, O2 is ensuring that customers visiting many of Scotland's most remote holiday spots can stay connected. Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... With nearly half of Brits (48%) planning a domestic getaway, and one in three saying mobile coverage influences their destination, upgraded 4G and 5G coverage is helping travellers stay online. Connecting Scotland's wildest corners O2 has boosted 4G and 5G network capacity in more than 13,000 Scottish postcodes in the last 12 months, including some of the UK's most remote destinations. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Isle of Skye, Scotland The upgrades extend to popular tourist centres, with 782 upgraded postcodes in Edinburgh and major improvements in coverage across the Highlands. On top of this, O2 has recently installed small cells in Perth, as well as switching on its next-generation 5G standalone network in Stirling. O2 has recently brought reliable connectivity to many unique Scottish tourist destinations that previously had none. These include: · Corrour Station, the UK's highest and most remote railway stop, famously featured in Trainspotting · Barra Airport, the only airport in the world with a scheduled beach runway and tidal timetable Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Rebecca, a freelance illustrator based in London, is heading to Scotland this summer with family · Loch Ossian Eco Hostel and Glen Affric Hostel, reachable only by foot or bike The announcement comes as new research commissioned by O2 found 48% of Brits are planning a staycation in Scotland this summer. Amid the cost-of-living crisis, 41% are staying in the UK to save money, while 25% are opting for Scotland so their pets can join the adventure. Cultural influences also play a role, with 13% inspired by TV and films shot in Scotland – from Outlander to The Traitors and Trainspotting. Off-grid adventures, on-grid coverage The research also reveals that while many Brits are eager to get off the beaten track, they don't want to go entirely off-grid. 62% worry about getting lost without GPS, while over half (55%) fear not being able to find or contact their accommodation. Nearly half (48%) are concerned about locating nearby places to eat, drink or explore, and 43% say streaming music or podcasts is key to their holiday experience. For families, almost a third (31%) say reliable mobile signal is essential to keeping children entertained during travel. With the average Scottish 'staycationer' planning to spend an average of £721, and 28% of UK holidaymakers planning a trip north of the border, Scotland could see a tourism boost of more than £5 billion this summer alone. Thanks to improved 4G and 5G coverage across the country, even remote getaways are now better supported by strong, reliable mobile connectivity. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Dr Robert Joyce, Director of Mobile Access Engineering, at O2 said: 'Scotland has always been one of the most beautiful and remote destinations in the UK but now it's better connected than ever before. Thanks to O2's Mobile Transformation Plan, whether they're hiking the Highlands, flying into Barra, or visiting a rural island, visitors can stay connected when and where it matters most.' Rebecca, a freelance illustrator based in London, is heading to Scotland this summer, and said: 'As a nature-loving, free spirit living in London, I'm excited to be swapping city life for Scotland with my family this summer, seeking outdoors adventures and showing my son what independent travel looks like in the UK. We'll be escaping central London and taking a train up to Glasgow, exploring the Trossachs and then off to Oban to catch a ferry to Tiree. I'm looking for ultimate escapism: fishing, surfing and small island life – but with a 10-year-old and a packed itinerary, we'll definitely need some Netflix films and playlists on tap for some restful down time! My goal is to switch off but be able to plan ahead, so having connectivity on a trip like this is really important.' These upgrades are part of O2's Mobile Transformation Plan, which will see the operator invest approximately £700m this year to future-proof its mobile network. The plan is focused on expanding 4G and 5G coverage, a dedicated small cells rollout to boost capacity in dense urban areas, and innovative solutions to address persistent network pain points including along railway lines, at airports, on motorways, and in stadiums and arenas.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Little-known free Disneyland Paris pass lets you skip queues but there's a catch
Disneyland Paris has iconic rides, attractions and plenty of fun for the whole family - but there's one little-known pass that could help you skip the queue Disneyland Paris is on most families' bucket lists thanks to its iconic rides (Peter Pan or It's A Small World, anyone?), incredible fireworks shows and of course those all-important character meet and greets. Like most theme parks, during the peak school holidays there can be busy queues at Mickey Mouse 's Parisian home. There are ways you can cut down wait times for example by buying fast passes - dubbed Premier Access - but if you're on a tight budget these aren't always the way to go. However, there's one little-known Disneyland Pass that not only lets you skip the queues for rides and characters, but also gets you easier access to some of the best spots for seeing the fireworks shows and parades. Dubbed the 'Bambi pass' by those in the know, it's completely FREE of charge. Another perk? Those who hold it can bring up to FOUR people along to the front of the queue too. The only catch? You'll need to be pregnant if you want to use it. The 'Pregnant Woman bracelet' (we prefer the name Bambi Pass) is a band that you can collect at the information desks, and they'll give you Priority Access to the majority of what the parks have to offer. The pass isn't actually a secret - in fact, if you know where to look you can find all the details on the Disneyland Paris website. However, it's one that often gets overlooked by expectant mums who just assume they can't join in on the fun. Not only can they join in the fun, but they can bring their family with them - four people on rides, and two for shows or parade viewing spots. Of course it's worth noting that there are some rides which you won't be able to go on if you're pregnant, so if you are thinking of going, it's worth checking the theme park website to check exactly which rides and attractions you'd want to do, to avoid disappointment. Still, it could prove useful if you're thinking of taking your toddlers or older kids to Disneyland before their new sibling arrives - and means you can all still enjoy the bulk of the magic together. READ MORE: 'I went to Disneyland Paris and found the hidden attraction most people miss' A guide to the pass on the Disneyland Paris website explains: "Collect this bracelet on presentation of a medical certificate dated less than 3 months (French or English) at the dedicated counters at the entrance to Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios, at hotel concierge services or at City Hall and Studio Services. "The Pregnant Woman bracelet allows priority but not immediate access to attractions, shows and meetings with Disney Characters, as well as to the cash desks of our restaurants and shops. Contact our Cast Members. "You can be accompanied by 4 attendants for the attractions and indoors shows, and 2 attendants for the parades and outdoors shows. "Please consult the Accessibility Maps for details of how to access our attractions."
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Met Office warns some Brits need 10 emergency items for 33 hours this weekend
Brits are being warned to prepare an emergency kit for the weekend by the Met Office which is urging people to gear up ahead of heavy rains and the risk of flooding in one part of the UK The recent sunny weather is set to be disrupted by plenty of rain which could cause difficult travel conditions. A yellow weather warning has been issued for a large part of Scotland - meaning there is a possibility of intense rain and thunderstorms, carrying the threat of floods across a side of the nation. Weather experts at the Met Office have issued a yellow alert from 6am on Friday which will be in place until 3pm on Saturday. People in eight towns in the west of Scotland have been warned to prepare the "persistent, heavy rain" that is set to batter the area. These places include Fort William, Oban, Rothesay, Greenock, Lochgilphead, Inverary, Tobermory and Portree. The Met Office warned residents in these areas to expect "spray and flooding on roads probably making journey times longer", "bus and train services probably affected with journey times taking longer" and "some interruption to power supplies and other services possible". Meanwhile, people have been advised to prepare a flood kit including crucial items Brits should set aside. It said: "In your flood kit have: insurance and any other important documents; a torch & spare batteries; a first aid kit, prescription medicines and supplies for looking after your family members or pets; and warm, waterproof clothes, blankets, food and water." Forecasters added that the heavy rain is expected on much of Friday and overnight but slowly eases later on in the day on Saturday. These rains will also be accompanied by windy conditions, which are expected to be worse on Friday during the day - with gusts of 40 to 50mph expected. The Met Office added: "Keep yourself and others safe; prepare to avoid travelling by road during potentially dangerous road conditions. If you must travel, ensure you watch for possible danger and drive cautiously. "It is not safe to drive, walk or swim through floodwater, avoid it where possible and if you are affected by fast flowing or deep-water call 999, and wait for help."
