Fair deal for London flyers

6.03.01pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 16th Feb 2005

EU laws that enter into force tomorrow (Thursday February 17) will provide redress for London holidaymakers stranded at airports because of flight delays and cancellations, says Baroness Sarah Ludford, Liberal Democrat MEP for London.

Airlines often overbook flights to make more money and every year around a quarter of a million passengers get a nasty surprise when checking in for flights at EU airports.

The new rules will give passengers denied boarding due to overbooking of flights increased financial compensation, around £170 for passengers on short flights (an extra £70) and around £420 for longer flights (doubled).

For the first time passengers whose flights have been cancelled or delayed will be compensated for the inconvenience, holidaymakers on charter flights as well as scheduled departures.

Passengers whose flights are cancelled will receive the same compensation as those denied boarding, as well as a choice of a full refund or an alternative flight, while a full refund will be given if the delay is over two hours for short flights or four hours for longer flights. Those delayed, denied boarding or with cancelled flights must be provided with meals, refreshments and if necessary, hotel accommodation.

Sarah Ludford argues that airlines have got to accept minimum standards of public service:

"Low cost airlines are surely here to stay, but customers should have rights to fair treatment and protection from shoddy service even when they might be getting a bargain. In any case, a flight cancellation that costs the passenger a fortune in hotels and other costs is not a good deal!"