Refund deal signed as ash cloud back
Airlines and tour operators sign agreement clarifying their duty to passengers as volcanic ash disrupts flights again
SOME flights from France to Scotland and Northern Ireland are cancelled today and others to England may be affected later following a second burst of ash from the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajoekull.
The British Civil Aviation Authority says the levels of ash in the atmosphere over parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland will exceed the concentrations that engine manufactures have agreed are safe for operations.
The UK Met Office says it is "very likely" that the cloud will be blown south, affecting airports in the north of England later today.
The closed airports so far include Glasgow, Prestwick, Inverness, Derry, Belfast International and Belfast City. At the moment, Edinburgh and Aberdeen are unaffected.
Flights to Donegal, Dublin and Knock are also disrupted - with Cork, Kerry and Waterford expected to join the list later.
Airport authorities say passengers due to travel today should check with their airline. Please do not call The Connexion office as we are unable to help.
Last month the ash cloud forced the closure of much of France's airspace for several days and cost the airline and tour business hundreds of millions of euros.
Passenger rights confirmed
Consumer group UFC-Que Choisir has reached an agreement with the main French tour operators and airlines about what they will - and will not - pay stranded passengers.
If your flight was cancelled, you have a right under EU law to a full refund.
If you chose to be booked on to a later flight, the airline has a duty to pay for food and accommodation. This applies to any period when you hold a boarding card for a flight - if you chose to cancel and find another way home, the airline's responsibility of care ends.
Anyone whose package holiday was cancelled before the departure date can reschedule with their tour operator and pick an alternative date - and destination - within the next 12 months.
If the price of the new package is lower, the difference will be refunded. If it is higher, the extra sum is due.
UFC Que-Choisir has also set up a special group to deal with complaints from tourists who were stranded overseas on package holidays and who believe the tour operators did not look after them.
Anyone affected should get in touch with the organisation with details of their claim by June 15.
The Tourism Ministry has also set up a free phone line for anyone dissatisfied with the response from their airline. The number is 0800 000 402 from France.
