Travel delays strikes and disruption

EASYJET is set to be disrupted by staff walkouts next month – with flights to and from the UK expected to be cancelled.

The airline’s cabin crew in Portugal have voted to strike on two separate occasions across October and December.

Members of the SNPVAC union have announced walkouts from October 2–6 and again in December on 19–23.

The strike will affect flights from busy airports including Lisbon, Porto and Faro.

From the UK, easyJet operates flights to Portugal from the likes of Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Gatwick, Luton, Southend, Manchester and Newcastle.

The union has estimated that the strike in October alone could ground around 500 scheduled flights overall.

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This is likely to include 35 return flights to and from the UK.

A spokesperson from the airline added: “We are extremely disappointed that SNPVAC is planning strike actions despite our willingness to continue a constructive dialogue.

“We had just started a conciliation process through the mediation of DGERT with the aim to reach an agreement to meet our employees’ requests and protect the sustainability of easyJet business in Portugal.

“The current union demands are unworkable especially given that our crew are already paid significantly above the Portuguese national average.

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.

“We are doing everything we can to minimize the impact of the strike on our customers including actioning some cancellations in advance to allow our customers to rearrange their travel plans.”

Cabin crew workers for the airline in France previously held strikes between August 15 and 16.

Last month, easyJet pilots, again in France, staged a walkout across two days in September.

Members of the SNPL pilots’ union staged the strike over a pay dispute between September 13-14.

A GROWING number of UK airports are facing delays and cancellations following another air traffic control failure.

This comes just a fortnight after a major outage left thousands of passengers stranded at airports across the UK.

London Gatwick, Glasgow Airport and Belfast International Airport are amongst airports currently seeing disruptions.

Earlier this morning, it was reported that an issue with National Air Traffic Services (NATS) was affecting airspace in the north of England and Scotland.

NATS has stressed that the issue is unrelated to the major air traffic control outage that saw over 500,000 passengers stranded.

Belfast International Airport has confirmed on its website that it is experiencing NATS-related delays, saying: “We are currently experiencing some delays to flights due to a NATS air traffic control issue.”

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Passengers who do not have a confirmed flight have been instructed to not travel to the airport.

Glasgow Airport has also issued a statement on its website about the delays, saying: “A technical issue affecting NATS air traffic control services at the Prestwick Centre is causing disruption to some flight departures and arrivals.

“As a result, some services operating to and from our airports are experiencing delays, primarily at Glasgow Airport, and further disruption is expected due to the knock-on impact across the network.”

London City Airport said on X: “We are experiencing some disruption due to an issue at @NATS Prestwick.

“We are monitoring the situation closely and working with NATS as they resolve the issue.“

It also told passengers to check with their airline to find out the latest flight information.

Both London Gatwick and Stansted are “operating as normal”, the airports have confirmed, but a handful of departing flights may be delayed.

After over an hour of fixing delays, NATS has now confirmed the issue at its Prestwick centre in Scotland is now fixed.

The air traffic control firm has apologised for today’s flight disruption and said it is working with airports and airlines to “minimise any further disruption”.

Transport Secretary also commented on the incident, calling the disruptions “deeply frustrating” and warning passengers of “some delays”.

A WOMAN from the UK was stopped at the border abroad after she was told she had overstayed in Europe – despite her not.

Paula Pugh was going on holiday to Italy but was taken back to the UK after systems showed she had overstayed her limit of 90 days in a 180-day period in the Schengen Area.

EES has been causing chaos for lots of Brits since it was first introduced earlier this year including airport delays and missed flights,

But now, it is also causing problems for passengers by incorrectly claiming they are staying too long in Europe.

Talking to The Telegraph, Paula Pugh, 60, explained how she was escorted out of Italy and taken back to the UK because of the error.

Travelling with her husband and cousin for a five-day trip to southern Italy, Paula was flagged at border control shortly after landing.

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She was accused of overstaying her 90 limit in the Schengen Area despite taking just three short visits to Spain and one to France – which totted up to 22 days.

Talking to the publication Paula explained she “wasn’t allowed to go anywhere without a police presence.”

Paula was put on a flight home on the same day from another airport with Ryanair along with her family.

Her passport was given to the captain for the duration of their flight.

She added: “My husband then asked the cabin crew where I would get my passport, and we had to walk to the front of the plane.

“Somebody came onto the plane, took me off the plane, had a look, gave me my passport, and said ‘There you go.’ As though it was all over and all forgotten.

“I’m still very upset when I think about it.”

The cancelled trip and return flights home cost the family around £2,000.

Now, Paula is trying to get her record corrected.

Previously, Brits were manually stamped in and out of a country at border control. EES has replaced that with the taking of biometrics and fingerprints.

However, in some cases where EES has been turned off at airports due to faults, or delays, the exit for Brits has not been recorded and the days spent in the Schengen Area continues without them knowing.

A UK Government spokesman told The Telegraph: “While EES is an EU scheme, we recognise this is a significant change for British travellers, and advise that they read the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice about the scheme before travelling.“

In August, the UK Foreign Office altered its advice to Brits asking them to carry evidence of when they last left the EU, to avoid being wrongly refused entry.

Brits travelling from the UK to Europe can spend 90 days out of every 180 in the EU – staying over this limit will mean both refusal of entry and a fine.

In some cases a fine can be as much as £8,550.

Advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) reads: “If you believe you have been incorrectly entered into EES or your record of time spent in the Schengen area is incorrect, approach border officials when you next cross the Schengen border and request a correction.

“If you are exempt, carry documentation confirming your status. If you believe your time spent in the Schengen area has been recorded incorrectly, raise this with border officials and be prepared to provide supporting evidence if requested.”

If you want to check the days left on your record before travelling, the The European Commission has an EES online tool.

MORE flights are being cancelled at a major airport in Europe due to continued strike action.

Charleroi Airport in Brussels is expecting to cancel around 34 flights today with a further 21 flights set to be rescheduled.

So far, 16 departures have already been cancelled including one to the UK.

Around 20 arrivals have also been cancelled including one from the UK.

It comes as the air traffic controllers have been carrying out strike action since September 16 regarding the management of night-shift bonuses.

The unions for the air traffic controllers have warned that strike action could continue until October 10.

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Strike action takes place during every night shift from 10pm to 8am the following morning.

Since the strike began, around 160 flights have been cancelled.

Last week, Ryanair confirmed that it had cancelled at least 30 flights so far.

The budget airline flies to the airport from Newcastle, Manchester and Edinburgh.

So far one flight to the UK has been cancelled today, which is to Manchester with Ryanair at 7:40pm.

The airport said in a statement: “We are monitoring the situation very closely and sharing verified general information through our official channels.

“For information regarding your specific flight, we encourage you to regularly check the communications from your airline.

“We share our passengers’ frustration and hope that the social conflict at Skeyes will be resolved quickly.”

THE under fire boss of air traffic control has been told he “must quit” after a number of UK airports were hit with delays following another technical glitch.

Thousands of passengers saw their flights disrupted after an issue with the National Air Traffic Services [Nats] affected airspace in the north of England and in Scotland.

Holidaymakers are facing lengthy delays after the issue which began at Nats’ Prestwick centre in Scotland.

Airports in Edinburgh, Belfast and Manchester were registering delayed flights and urged passengers to check with their airlines while Luton Airport said domestic flights had been disrupted.

Nats has stressed that the issue was unrelated to a massive outage that saw hundreds of flights cancelled just two weeks ago.

In a statement on the most recent air traffic control outage, a Nats spokesperson confirmed the issue was now fixed – but disruption is still on the cards for many holidaymakers.

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But calls for Nats chief Martin Rolfe to resign have intensified after the latest debacle.

The 51-year-old senior executive of National Air Traffic Services was paid £1.5 million, including £871,000 in bonuses, last year and has already faced questions over his future.

The executive has previously been accused of overseeing a “litany of failures” during his time as CEO of the UK’s air traffic control services.

At least 200 flights departing or arriving into the UK have been cancelled so far today, aviation analytics company Cirium has said.

Ryanair has said more than 25,000 of its passengers are expected to be disrupted after the latest air traffic control incident and called for Rolfe to resign.

Chief operations officer Neal McMahon said: “Just three days after Nats assured airlines and passengers that it had introduced robust ‘mitigation plans’, its flight data processing system has failed again.

“More than 25,000 Ryanair passengers have already suffered disruption, with over 140 Ryanair flights delayed, yet Nats still cannot tell passengers when this disruption will end.

He added: “Rolfe has presided over repeated system failures, repeated passenger disruption and repeated failures to deliver an effective back-up system.

“Enough is enough. Martin Rolfe should resign today.”

Easyjet said in a statement: “A NATS Air Traffic Control system failure in its Prestwick Centre is causing delays to flights with some unable to operate.

“This, once again, calls into question the resilience of NATS’ systems and demonstrates the need for firm actions to prevent these repeated failures.

“We will do all we can minimise the impact of this for our customers and advise anyone due to fly today to check our flight tracker for the latest information.”

The airline said the latest disruption “calls into question the resilience of Nats’ systems.”

The firm said earlier this morning that engineers were working to resolve the issue but that regulations had been imposed to “maintain safety.”

And, British Airways said it is “disappointing” that some customers may experience disruption after “yet another technical fault with Nats”.

A spokesperson for the airline said: “Yet another technical fault with Nats means some of our customers are likely to experience disruption to their travel plans today.

“This is disappointing and whilst it is an issue that is entirely out of our control, we’re doing everything we can to limit the impact on customers and are keeping them updated.”

A Nats statement this afternoon read: “The issue in our Prestwick centre is now fixed. We are working with airports and airlines to safely lift air traffic regulations as quickly as we can to minimise any further disruption.

“Passengers should still check the status of their flight with their airline.

“We apologise for the disruption.”

Passengers tpoday are being advised to check with their airline for information on their flights.

Holidaymakers at Glasgow airport were reportedly been left waiting on the tarmac for hours amid the delays.

Meanwhile, Luton Airport said domestic flights had been disrupted by the air traffic control issue.

And several flights at Manchester Airport have been delayed with passengers warned to expect further disruption.

However, most airports south of Manchester are broadly unaffected by the issue but flights travelling north may be subject to some delays, Nats said.

British Airways and Easyjet have issued messages to passengers hoping to travel today, warning them that some delays are expected.

Highlands and Islands Airports Limited has said flights are being disrupted across all of the airports it operates.

Meanwhile, Belfast International Airport said it is experiencing some delays amid the air traffic control issue.

Passengers and airlines “deserve better”, an aviation industry body has said after the second air traffic control issue within two weeks.

Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, said: “The UK’s ATC (air traffic control) system is critical national infrastructure and it must be resilient enough to keep people moving.

“Passengers and airlines deserve better and the independent CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) report, together with the forthcoming Civil Aviation Bill, must address the underlying weaknesses in the system so that these failures stop happening.”

The previous Nats failure affected thousands of passengers with many stuck abroad amid the chaos.

Nats announced that a “technical issue” with its “flight processing system” had caused the widespread travel chaos just two weeks ago.

A majority of the UK’s biggest airports were brought to a standstill by the failure, which is understood to have been caused by a software error.

It led to calls for Nats chief Martin Rolfe to resign with furious airline executives blaming him for the failure.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander previously demanded Rolfe launch a rapid review into the chaos last week and said that she did not believe the most recent air traffic control issue was “unavoidable.”

He previously faced turbulence in 2023 when he oversaw his first failure in air traffic control, which affected more than 250,000 passengers.

The August bank holiday failure was sparked when a small piece of incorrect data set off a mass system failure lasting just a few hours.

A STRIKE at a major airport in Belgium has forced Ryanair to cancel at least 30 flights, with more to follow.

The industrial action by air traffic control staff could continue well into October, affecting evening schedules.

Industrial action by air traffic control workers at Charleroi Airport started on September 16.

The strike will continue to take place during every night shift from 22pm to 8am the following morning until October 10.

It’s been reported that as a result, Ryanair has cancelled at least 30 flights so far.

Ryanair flies to Charleroi from three UK airports; Newcastle, Manchester and Edinburgh.

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Looking at today’s schedule, it’s mostly arrivals into the airport after 9.30pm that are affected.

Only two flights from the UK are affected by the strike action today.

The first is a flight from Manchester Airport to Charleroi which was scheduled for 10.55pm and has since been cancelled.

The second is a flight from Charleroi to Manchester Airport which was scheduled for 19.35pm and has also been cancelled.

Ryanair has asked passengers to monitor their Ryanair App for the latest updates regarding their flight.

In a previous statement, the airline said: “We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused as a result of these ATC strike delays/cancellations, which are entirely beyond airlines’ control.”

Yesterday, about 40 flights in total were cancelled at Charleroi Airport.

According to Skeyes, the Belgium‘s official national air navigation service provider, the nightly strikes are expected to affect more than 800 flights.

PASSENGERS are facing disruption today at an airport in Sicily following a volcanic eruption.

Catania Airport has suspended all flights until this afternoon due to an eruption on Mount Etna – and it’s not for the first time as hundreds of flights were forced to cancel last month.

An ash cloud has caused airspace closures in Sicily which is affecting both arrivals and departures at Catania Airport.

Due to volcanic ash into the atmosphere, flights have been suspended until at least 2.30pm (local time) today.

The airport said: “Passengers are kindly requested to check the status of their flight with their airline before travelling to the airport.

“Further updates will follow.”

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For Brits, the disruption today has affected one easyJet flight so far, it is departing London Gatwick at 10am and will be diverted to Palermo.

Another easyJet flight heading to London Gatwick from Catania Airport remains on the schedule for 10.35am – although it’s likely to be cancelled following the suspension.

Later today, a BA flight scheduled to depart London Gatwick for Catania Airport remains scheduled for 7.55pm.

Flights first started being cancelled and diverted yesterday when Mount Etna erupted again.

Last month, ongoing eruptions from Mount Etna forced Sicily’s busiest airport to shut for five days in a row resulting in hundreds of cancelled flights.

Families who had their flights cancelled were left stranded with videos on social media showing holidaymakers sleeping on the airport floor and even luggage belts.

Last time Mount Etna erupted nearby Malta International Airport had to cancel 19 flights due to volcanic ash.

TRAVEL chaos caused by a major tech outage across all UK airports earlier this week has left thousands stranded – with many left out of pocket when booking back up flights and hotels.

An Air Traffic Control failure in the UK on Tuesday saw thousands of flights cancelled, resulting in travel chaos across the globe.

Many have since been asking if they can claim compensation back, with flights both delayed and cancelled for days.

However, as the NATS issue was classed as an “extraordinary circumstance” travellers are not entitled to cash compensation.

The maximum compensation you can get is for long-haul flights which are delayed four hours or more, which would be £520.

This is only for when the problems are the caused by the airline, directly, however.

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Lisa Minot, Head of Travel said: “Airlines are only required to give you compensation if the delay or cancellation is the airline’s fault, as in a technical failure on a plane or issues with crew.

“In this situation, where ATC is the reason for the chaos, there is unfortunately no compensation due.”

Yet, airlines do have a duty of care, so you can recoup some of your costs.

When affected by flight delays, airlines must provide travellers with food and drink as well as accommodation.

‘Care’ you should receive includes food and drink, two phone calls, accommodation and transport between the airport and where you are staying.

Usually, an airline will provide you with a voucher to get food or drink, however if a voucher isn’t provided, make sure you keep your receipts to claim back expenses incurred.

While an airline might automatically book your accommodation when your flight is delayed or cancelled, sometimes you might be asked to book it yourself via its website or a dedicated app.

Although, it is advised to always ask airport staff before booking a hotel yourself.

If you pay for your own hotel, you must make sure to keep all your receipts so you can claim back your costs.

Airlines will cover a hotel with a reasonable price though, so don’t go booking a five-star stay.

Then head to your airline’s website and find their expenses claims page and fill out the form with the relevant details.

The CAA also recommends asking for an itemised receipt to show what you purchased and how much was spent on each thing.

Lisa added: “Check your insurance policy to see if you have any redress if you have incurred additional costs like missing a concert or unable to pick up car hire. You may be able to claim for that.

“Generally for delays, if an airline looks after you or provides you with food and drink or hotels, you cannot claim for the same costs against your travel insurance.”

HUNDREDS of thousands of British holidaymakers have faced travel misery this week after a massive air traffic control meltdown left them stranded.

A technical glitch on Tuesday (September 8) triggered chaos at major hubs across the country, leading to the cancellation of more than 2,000 flights arriving or departing the UK.

With the weekend fast approaching, families are wondering: “Will my holiday still go ahead, and who is footing the bill?”

Here is everything you need to know about the current travel situation, why flights have still been grounded, and what aviation bosses are saying.

Will flights be back to normal by the weekend?

The good news for weekend travellers is that the disruption has significantly eased.

Aviation analytics company Cirium confirmed that cancellations are slowing down, with schedules expected to return to normal later today (September 10).

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While 399 flights were cancelled or did not fly on Wednesday, only a “handful” of flights have faced the axe today.

Provided there are no further technical hiccups, weekend flight schedules should run as planned.

Why are airports still cancelling trips?

Even when an air traffic control system is fixed, the aviation network takes time to recover.

Tuesday’s four-hour outage meant that by Wednesday, planes and flight crews were stuck in the wrong locations across the globe.

This creates a “knock-on” effect that airlines have to untangle before schedules can get back on track.

London Heathrow was the worst affected airport on Wednesday, with 79 out of 666 departure flights disrupted.

British Airways (BA) took the biggest hit among airlines, seeing 88 of its 507 scheduled departures affected.

What are airlines and airports saying?

Airlines are furious about the disruption.

BA said it was “sorry” to its customers, but stressed the meltdown was “out of our control”.

Taking a swipe at air traffic bosses, a BA spokesperson said: “Our customers and colleagues are tired of dealing with these issues, time after time. This needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.”

Meanwhile, Heathrow has assured passengers that it is working with airlines to ensure the majority of flights operate normally.

But the west London hub advised all passengers to double-check with their airline for the latest information before travelling to the airport.

Will I get compensation?

If your flight was cancelled or delayed due to the outage, you’re unlikely to see a payout.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has said that the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) meltdown is considered an “extraordinary circumstance”.

Under passenger rights rules, this means airlines do not legally have to pay out compensation for delays or cancellations caused by the incident.

But airlines are still legally required to “look after” passengers, meaning they must provide food, drink, and overnight accommodation if you’re severely delayed or rebooked onto a flight the next day.

Who is to blame?

NATS chief executive Martin Rolfe is facing mounting pressure to resign over the fiasco, with Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary branding Rolfe’s position as “untenable”.

Despite the backlash, Downing Street has said it still has confidence in Rolfe, who stated he takes “full responsibility” for the outage.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed the outage was due to a technical issue at NATS’ Swanwick site, ruling out a cyberattack.

She told MPs she did not believe the issue was “unavoidable” and ordered the CAA to conduct an independent, six-month review into what went wrong.

FURTHER disruption to air travel could be on the horizon with easyJet pilots confirming strike action in Europe.

The walkout is set to take place across two days meaning flights could be delayed or cancelled – including some to and from the UK.

Affecting flights in France, members of the SNPL pilots’ union have said that its members who work for easyJet will walk out over a pay dispute.

It will start at 4.59am on September 13 and end at 11.59pm on September 14.

According to a statement by Syndicat National des Pilotes de Ligne (SNPL) which is the main French national union for airline pilots, the dispute is around the pilots’ rosters with the airline.

Currently, there is no official estimate of how many flights could be cancelled or delayed as a result of the strike.

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The amount of disruption will depend on how many pilots participate in the strike and how easyJet changes its schedule.

For Brits, it could affect the airline’s flights to the likes of Paris Charles de Gaulle, Paris Orly, Lyon, Nice, Nantes, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Rennes, La Rochelle and Strasbourg.

It’s likely that not every easyJet flight from these airports will be affected and passengers should check their flight status before travelling on these days for updates on their journey.

Last month another strike by easyJet staff in France resulted in almost 100 flights being cancelled.

The news comes after there were huge delays across all UK airports this week due to a NATS tech outage that left thousands of passengers stranded.

Sun Travel has contacted easyJet for comment.

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.

THE UK’s second biggest airport may face even more delays this month as workers are set to strike over pay.

This comes as thousands of planes were grounded yesterday following a nationwide technical glitch.

Around 220 staff members at London Gatwick Airport are set to strike later this month, following a dispute between Unite members and employer Wilson James.

The workers, who provide assisted travel, have been engaged in pay talks since May and previously rejected a two-year offer of a 3.4 per cent salary increase.

The union said it was “not enough to address years of low pay at the firm”.

As a result, Unite regional officer Ben Davis, said that “industrial action will inevitably disrupt services throughout Gatwick” as negotions continue.

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Strikes are expected to take place from September 17 to September 21.

Just two days later, another set of strikes will occur from September 23 to September 26.

This will mean passengers who rely on assistened travel will take longer to board and disembark, leading to flight delays across both short-haul and long-haul services to and from Gatwick.

Davis added: “Strikes can be avoided but that requires the company making a significantly improved offer.”

This comes as travellers have already faced extensive delays and cancellations following a major technical issue with the UK’s air traffic control provider yesterday.

The National Air Traffic Services (NATS) suffered an issue with its “flights processing system”, resulting in tens of thousands of passengers stranded in terminals and over 1,000 journeys cancelled.

Although the issue preventing departures was fixed yesterday evening, knock-on delays and cancellations – mainly affecting Heathrow Airport – continue to disrupt passengers today.

TRAVELLERS face another day of chaos across UK airports today following a major tech outage cancelling flights yesterday.

Thousands of passengers were hit by flight cancellations and delays yesterday due to an air traffic control issue emerging around 1pm.

People reported being stuck on planes on the tarmac for hours and many travellers are currently stranded abroad with new flights home only available next week.

NATS has now warned that delays are expected to continue as it tries to “clear a backlog of flights” – but here is all you need to know if you have been impacted.

My flight has been cancelled, what do I do?

Contact your airline immediately and ask to be rebooked onto the next available flight.

Airlines must provide you with this option. Unfortunately, in a situation like this where so many flights have been cancelled, it may be that they offer you a flight well into the next few days.

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You do not have to accept this. If you can find an alternative flight with a different airline that will get you to your destination sooner, you have the right to either have the airline book you onto this or book it yourself.

Use a credit card, keep all receipts and claim it back from your airline. In situations like this, the last thing you should do is simply get a refund if you have no alternative means of getting to your destination.

If you do this, your airline no longer has any duty of care and does not have to get you home.

Only request a refund if you are happy for the airline to no longer have any responsibility for your travel options. – Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

How do I contact my airline?

You will likely be contacted by your airline directly if your flight has been affected by the air traffic control meltdown.

If you are already at the airport or on your way there, the best thing to do is speak to someone on the ground.

Phones will be ringing off the hook right now so the check in desk or your airline help desk is your best bet.

Anyone who is at home and has not been provided with a satisfactory alternative flight or the option to a refund should either call the airline via the customer services number or make contact via the live chat option on the website.

Some airlines, like British Airways, will allow you to rebook within their airline app.

If the changes are complicated, however, phone or in-person is best.  – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

What if I have a holiday package booked?

If you have a holiday package booked, you have more protection than flight-only bookings.

This is because they are ATOL protected, which means your money is safeguarded by a a UK financial protection scheme (often needed for when holiday companies go bust).

If your flight is cancelled, your tour operator must offer an alternative flight or replacement holiday.

If neither work you, then you must be given a full refund – Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Can I get compensation?

No. Airlines are only required to give you compensation if the delay or cancellation is the airline’s fault, as in a technical failure on a plane or issues with crew.

In this situation, where ATC is the reason for the chaos, there is unfortunately no compensation due.

Check your insurance policy to see if you have any redress if you have incurred additional costs like missing a concert or unable to pick up car hire. You may be able to claim for that.

Generally for delays, if an airline looks after you or provides you with food and drink or hotels, you cannot claim for the same costs against your travel insurance. – Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

How do you claim compensation?

If your flight has been cancelled strictly as a result of yesterday’s incident, you will not be entitled to compensation.

This is because the situation is deemed to be outside of the airline’s control and falls under the category of extraordinary circumstances.

Airlines do, however, still have a duty of care to their passengers and anyone experiencing delays of between two to four hours will be entitled to food and drinks vouchers.

These are usually handed out according to the distance you are flying.

For example if your trip is short haul then you are entitled to vouchers once the delay reaches two hours.

The delay must be at least three hours for mid haul or four hours for long haul.

If you are stranded and need to stay in a hotel, this also falls under duty of care and the airline should assist you in this.

As mentioned above, if you end up paying for anything yourself, you must keep receipts so that you can claim this back. – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

Am I covered by travel insurance?

This is strictly down to what your insurance policy says. It really depends on the level of policy you paid for, so it’s worth checking the small print.

You’ll need to be covered for things like delay, travel disruption, cancellations and missed connections.

If you went for the cheaper option when booking your policy, it’s likely there may be some holes in your cover.

Always make sure you take out travel insurance and check the details before signing on the dotted line – instances like this are why it’s worth protecting yourself. – Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)  

I missed an event can I get my money back?

It depends what you booked and how.

For a missed concert, theatre show or other event, check your travel insurance to see if it is covered because of the delay or cancellation – you may be able to claim.

The same applies for car hire or missed accommodation expenses but only if your travel insurance policy includes such disruption.

If you paid by credit card and the value is over £100 it may be worth calling your credit card provider and seeing if you can claim under Section 75 of the consumer credit act. – Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

What about if you’re supposed to be flying soon?

If you’re due to jet off in the coming days and have not yet been contacted by your airline, take this as a good sign.

The specific issue that resulted in yesterday’s chaos was fixed within four hours and many airports have said that they are operating as normal today.

Despite this quick fix, yesterday still saw over 1000 cancellations across UK airports which has had a dramatic knock on effect that could continue for days.

Keep a look out for any changes to your flight and act immediately if a cancellation arises.

If your flight is not cancelled, be warned that it could be busier than anticipated, with airlines struggling to find space for passengers who are trying to reach their destination after a cancellation.  – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

THE Netherlands has ground to a halt today due to a staff strike – and it is affecting public transport across the country.

It has also impacted Eurostar routes with all trains to two popular cities completely cancelled today.

The strike is being held by the country’s largest trade union for staff who operate public transport – the walkouts started at 2am and will end at 2am tomorrow.

As a result, Eurostar has been forced to cancel its routes to Amsterdam and Rotterdam – of which there are usually around 25.

Around 25 direct and indirect routes usually go to Amsterdam and Rotterdam from St Pancras, but none are running today.

On its website, Eurostar said: “There will be a national public transport strike on Wednesday 09 September 2026 in the Netherlands.

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“No national or international trains will be able to run on the Dutch network on that day. There will also be some disruption on the evening of Tuesday 08 September and the morning of Thursday 10 September.

“If you’re due to travel with Eurostar, you can check whether your journey is affected by the strike on our live train info page. We’ve also contacted all affected passengers whose contact details we have. If you have a connecting journey, please get in touch with the relevant train company for more information.

“We know how important your travel plans are and we’re sorry for the disruption this strike will cause.

“If your Eurostar train can no longer serve your departure and/or arrival station, you can choose one of the following options:

• Exchange your booking for free to travel in the same travel class at a different time or date. It only takes a minute to rearrange your trip.

• Cancel your booking and claim an e-voucher. You will have 12 months from the date of your disrupted journey to redeem it on eurostar.com.

• Cancel your booking and get a refund. You’ll receive a refund for the value of your ticket but not for any booking or exchange fees. We’ll process your request within 28 days.

“You have three months from the date you were due to travel to claim your preferred option.

“Thank you for your patience and understanding. We apologise again for the disruption to your journey.”

Due to the early hours of the strike ending, services on Thursday morning could be affected too with several Eurostar journeys in showing as ‘Not available’.

In Amsterdam, metros, trams, buses and ferry services have been suspended.

In Rotterdam, the metros, trams, buses are suspended as well, and in The Hague, trams and buses are not running.

A Eurostar spokesperson told Sun Travel: “Following the national public transport strike on Wednesday 9 September 2026 from 2AM until the 10^th of September at 2AM in the Netherlands, no Eurostar trains will be able to run on the Dutch network on Wednesday.

“Affected passengers have been notified and can obtain a reimbursement or change their tickets free of charge. We apologise for the inconvenience.

“Trains on the other Eurostar routes are running normally.”

HUNDREDS of flights have been grounded across the UK following a major ATC failure.

Here is everything you need to know if your flight has been delayed or cancelled.

What is happening right now at UK airports?

Airports across the UK are experiencing huge delays and cancellations with passengers reporting being stuck parked at gates due to Air Traffic Control outages.

It comes after NATS experienced a technical issue just after 1pm today according to multiple sources, halting departures at UK airports.

NATS stated: “We have identified that the issue was in our flight processing system.

“Our engineers are on site and working urgently to resume normal operations as quickly as possible.

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“We recognise the ongoing disruption to travel, for which we sincerely apologise.

“Flights are still departing and airspace is open, but recovery will take some time. We will provide further updates as soon as possible.

“Passengers should check the status of their flight with their airline. We will provide further updates as soon as we have confirmed information, at http://www.nats.aero and on X at @NATS.”

Are flights being affected?

Flights are being impacted across UK airports London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Manchester.

More than 50 flights departing London Heathrow have already been cancelled.

Manchester Airport has advised passengers to “check the latest status of their flight with their airline” amid the turmoil caused by the air traffic control failure.

The airport said it would “Continue to monitor the situation and share further updates as more information becomes available.”

At Luton Airport a Ryanair flight to Dublin scheduled to leave at 4.10PM is now estimated to leave at 7PM.

And a Jet2 flight to Alicante scheduled to leave at 4.25PM, is now estimated to leave at 6PM.

What are my rights if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

Airlines have a duty of care they must offer passengers affected by delays or cancellations.

The Civil Aviation Authority states: “If your flight is delayed, and UK261 applies to it, your airline must look after you while you are delayed.

“This includes providing you with food and drink based on how long your delay is, and accommodation if you are delayed overnight.”

If your airline doesn’t provide these and you end up paying for food, a hotel or transport yourself, keep all receipts so you can claim back reasonable expenses later.

If your flight is cancelled, they must also offer a refund or an alternative flight, even with another airline.

If you accept a refund, they no longer need to offer you any additional forms of care, such as hotels or food vouchers.

Can I claim compensation?

Airlines are not required to offer any compensation if the situation is deemed “extraordinary circumstances”.

This can mean anything out of the airline’s control like extreme weather – or air traffic control failures.

As a result, the current NATS technical outage is classed as an “extraordinary circumstance”.

In the last major NATS outage in 2023, travellers did not receive compensation.

The Civil Aviation Authority revealed that around 700,000 passengers were impacted by the last outage.

This included 300,000 people by cancellations, 95,000 by delays of over three hours and a further 300,000 by shorter delays.

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.

ALL departing flights from UK airports including both Heathrow and Gatwick are majorly disrupted due to an “air traffic control failure”.

Thousands of passengers have been stranded across the country as flights are grounded.

The country’s air traffic control service NATS has a “technical issue” causing widespread chaos for departing flights.

Planes arriving into airports are not impacted.

A Heathrow spokesperson said: “The air traffic control service NATS is experiencing a technical issue which is affecting departing flights at UK airports.

“Arriving flights are not currently impacted.

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“We are supporting our local NATS team in their efforts to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

“We will provide updated information when we have it.

“We apologise to those disrupted and advise passengers to check with their airline for the latest flight information.

“This is affecting all UK airports, not just Heathrow and Gatwick.”

Fuming passengers told The Sun they’re stuck abroad because their flights are unable to leave over the issue in the UK, and have been warned they may have to get hotels for the night.

A National Air Traffic Services spokesperson said in a statement: “We are investigating a technical issue which is causing some disruption to flight departures.

“Our engineers are on site and we will provide an update as soon as we can.

“We apologise for the delay this will cause to journeys, passengers should check with their airline on the status of their flight.”

Are you affected? Email emily.davies@thesun.co.uk

It said in an update: “We have identified that the issue was in our flight processing system. Our engineers are on site and working urgently to resume normal operations as quickly as possible. 

“We recognise the ongoing disruption to travel, for which we sincerely apologise. Flights are still departing and airspace is open, but recovery will take some time.

“We will provide further updates as soon as possible. Passengers should check the status of their flight with their airline.

“We will provide further updates as soon as we have confirmed information, at http://www.nats.aero and on X at @NATS.”

Airport management at Heathrow said all outgoing flights have been temporarily halted.

Belfast City Airport also warned of “some disruption” to flights.

Manchester Airport Group, the company that operates Manchester Airport, Stansted Airport in Essex and East Midlands Airport in Leicestershire, said flights from all three had been affected by the air traffic control issue.

In 2023, thousands of passengers were left stranded by another major air traffic control failure.

It grounded 500 flights across the UK and Brits were stuck for hours on a Bank Holiday.

The “one in 15 million” event led to thousands of flights being cancelled and delayed.

An investigation launched by NATS revealed that a flight plan error resulted in the failure, which meant the air space was forced to close down – and only resumed 10 hours later.

In the aftermath, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said NATS could raise the amount it charges airlines by 25 per cent to ensure “safety and quality service”.

The fee increased from £47 to £64 per flight, an increase of 43p per passenger to £2.08 on average.

Sarah, from Manchester, said that people were left “confused and upset” by the chaos while at Lisbon Airport.

She told Sun Travel: “We arrived at the correct time for our 4.30pm flight to Heathrow but were then told our flight was four hours delayed.

“The queues are backing up at the BA check in desks with confused and upset people and crying babies.”

A spokesperson for Jersey Airport said: “UK air traffic control is currently experiencing issues which is impacting flights across the UK including services between Jersey and UK.

“Passengers are advised to check the latest flight information directly with their airline.”

Gatwick Airport added: “We are aware of a NATS technical issue that is currently affecting a number of UK airports, including London Gatwick.

“Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for more information regarding their flights.”

Disgruntled travellers have flocked to social media following the disruption.

One said: “Still stuck next in line on the runway at LHR. 90 minutes in.”
Another said: “BA 742 back to engines off and waiting.  Approaching 2 hour mark in 15 minutes.”

Another person posted on X: “We are currently sat on Alicante tarmac going to Manchester and this is affecting us. Not just London!”

A third said: “Luton airport too! We’re stranded on the actual plane.”

AROUND 25 EUROSTAR journeys to and from two popular cities have been cancelled tomorrow due to a nationwide strike.

Industrial action across the Netherlands means there will be no public transport in destinations like Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

Tomorrow there will be no services on trains, buses, trams or metros across the Netherlands – including Eurostar services.

The strike is being held by the country’s largest trade union for staff who operate public transport with the walkouts scheduled for 2am on Wednesday and 2am on Thursday.

According to next Wednesday’s Eurostar schedule there are usually five direct services to Amsterdam from St Pancras each day and nine indirect routes with Eurostar.

As for return trains there are usually five direct routes and six indirect back to London.

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When it comes to Rotterdam there are usually five direct services and eight indirect routes scheduled mid-week.

Returning to London are five direct routes and six indirect.

But none of these will be running tomorrow due to the strike action.

Due to the early hours of the strike ending, services on Thursday morning could be affected too with several Eurostar journeys in showing as ‘Not available’.

On its website, Eurostar said: “No national or international trains will be able to run on the Dutch network on that day.

“There will also be some disruption on the evening of Tuesday September 8 and the morning of Thursday September 10.”

It continued: “If you’re due to travel with Eurostar, you can check whether your journey is affected by the strike on our live train info page.”

“We’ve also contacted all affected passengers whose contact details we have.

“If you have a connecting journey, please get in touch with the relevant train company for more information.

“We know how important your travel plans are and we’re sorry for the disruption this strike will cause.”

The operator added that if your Eurostar train is no longer running, you can either change your booking for free, cancel your booking and get an e-voucher or cancel your booking and get a full refund.

In Amsterdam, metros, trams, buses and ferry services will all be suspended.

In Rotterdam, the metros, trams, buses will be suspended as well, and in The Hague, trams and buses will not be running.

A Eurostar spokesperson told Sun Travel: “Following the national public transport strike on Wednesday 9 September 2026 from 2AM until the 10^th of September at 2AM in the Netherlands, no Eurostar trains will be able to run on the Dutch network on Wednesday.

“Affected passengers have been notified and can obtain a reimbursement or change their tickets free of charge. We apologise for the inconvenience.

“Trains on the other Eurostar routes are running normally.”

AN airport that was closed for almost three days after a volcanic eruption has finally reopened.

But hundreds of thousands of passengers are scrambling to get home with flights still being delayed or cancelled.

On Monday, Indonesia’s Transport Ministry reported on Monday that as many as 270,000 travellers were stranded with their flights “cancelled, delayed, or diverted” – including those at Jakarta’s Soekarno Hatta International Airport which has since reopened.

Now it’s believed as many as 370,000 passengers are said to have been affected by the disruption across the last three days, with 3,000 flights cancelled.

It started on Friday when there was an eruption on Anak Krakatau.

An ash cloud drifted into the city of Jakarta and the Lampung province, halting flights at its airports with seven being forced to close.

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The biggest airport to close was Jakarta’s Soekarno Hatta International which grounded flights from Sunday until early this morning.

The current FCDO advice reads: “Soekarno Hatta Airport and Halim Airport in Jakarta were temporarily closed due to the volcanic ash clouds from Mount Anak Krakatau on 5 September.

“Both airports have reopened, but there are continued flight disruptions and many flights are cancelled or delayed.”

For anyone due to travel, it advises to check with your airline or travel provider for up to date information on your flight status.

On Flightradar24, Soekarno Hatta Airport has had 9 per cent of its flights cancelled today with 20 per cent delayed.

Lots of travellers were told they wouldn’t be able to fly for a few more days, including a newlywed couple on a honeymoon in Bali.

Talking to Bernama, they asked: “What are we going to do here for another five days? We only prepared enough money for our honeymoon and [were supposed] to go home yesterday.

They continued: “We thought we would just sleep at the airport for a few hours and then take the morning flight home [on Monday]. We never thought we would end up being stuck here for days.”

Yesterday, another passenger told AFP how they had not heard any updates from the airline and were seeking out hotels only to find most of them have been fully booked.

Airlines like Qantas are offering anyone who booked to go to or from Jakarta before September 5 the chance for a free refund on travel up to September 11.

But its services are resuming as scheduled from today.

Indonesia’s Geological Agency has warned however that “the probability of further eruptions in the coming periods remains high”.

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.

BRITS are facing huge queues and delayed trains after an operational issue has caused problems at the border.

Le Shuttle – previously called Eurotunnel Le Shuttle – has warned passengers not to arrive early in Folkestone for their train.

This is due to huge ongoing delays.

In a statement, they said: “Due to an operational issue, you may experience longer waiting times than usual.

“Please do not arrive more than two hours before your booked departure.”

The website warns of departure delays of approximately four hours from Folkestone to Calais, while the return Calais to Folkestone has delays of three hours.

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However on the website, a 11:24am departure from Folkestone to Calais has now been scheduled for 4:45pm, with this having a knock on effect for the rest of the departures today.

The latest update on the website is for the 3:24pm departure which will now leave at 6:45pm.

A Calais to Folkestone train scheduled for 4:36pm is now set to depart at 7:51pm.

According to local media, one traveller said their train was delayed by 3.5 hours.

Another wrote on social media: “I am on my way to the terminal for a train at 8:24.

“You are running 4.5h late! How can I cancel my trip and get a full refund?”

A third said there were “hundreds of delayed people waiting to board”.

It isn’t clear what has caused the issue or when it will be fixed.

The Sun has contacted Eurotunnel for comment.

THERE is nothing worse than a delayed or cancelled flight – and one airline is now making passengers pay extra if they want help quicker.

Wizz Air has launched a new add-on called ‘Disruption Assistance’, which it claims is ‘added protection’.

According to the airline, passengers will “get extra support if your flight is disrupted on the day of travel”.

The new add-on means that travellers will get notifications for disruptions over two hours, for any reason including severe weather, issues at airports or even strikes.

Another part of the add-on is that you will get rebooked quickly when time matters, even if this means needing to travel with another airline.

You will also be able to request a full refund if the alternatives offered to you don’t work.

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The final part of the add-on is that you will get “access [to] easy self-service tools or speak to an agent”.

You can add Disruption Assistance during the booking process or in Manage My Booking on the airline’s website or app.

In addition, if your flight is impacted on your day of travel, you will be sent an email to the Disruption Portal where you will be able to rebook via one of the options given or offered a refund.

According to EX-YU Aviation, the add-on costs between €9.90 (£8.51) and €14.90 (£12.80) per person.

Legally, the airline must rebook you under EU/UK Regulation 261/2004, if your flight is cancelled or delayed by more than five hours.

Airlines will usually try to rebook you on their own airline’s next available flight.

However, if they are unable to get you to your destination on the same day or next day, they must legally book you onto a rival airline and reimburse you.

Essentially, the Disruption Assistance add-on means you don’t have to battle with the airline’s customer service for a new flight or refund.

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.

A TRAVEL company has gone into administration – resulting in all holidays currently stopped.

Some Brits have even said they’ve been left ‘stranded’ with plans cancelled at the last minute.

Wayfairer Travel Limited is a luxury travel company which specialises in specially made packages to destinations like Maldives, Japan, Peru and Namibia.

However after almost 15 years since it was founded, the company has been forced to suspend all services “until further notice”.

A spokesperson for Wayfairer Travel said: “We are truly sorry for the concern and uncertainty caused by the current situation. Wayfairer Travel has currently suspended all services until further notice.

“At this stage, we are unable to provide further information until we have received the appropriate accounting and legal advice.

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“These discussions are currently under way, and we expect to provide a formal update during the week commencing 31 August.

“We appreciate your patience and sincerely apologise that we cannot provide greater clarity at this time.”

Some customers currently on trips or with bookings have complained that they have been left without any information.

A few hours ago on Trustpilot, one customer said that Wayfairer has left them “stranded in Botswana”.

He explained how he and his parents were on a safari when they were informed that Wayfairer “failed to pay any bills associated with our itinerary.”

He continued: “We are currently trying to complete our vacation out of pocket with no word from Wayfairer or offer of refund or compensation.”

On Google Reviews one woman wrote yesterday that the company cancelled their trip to Japan at the last minute.

She said: “They released all of our bookings and reservations, and advised that we contact our travel insurance. We have heard that they went out of business but that was not confirmed.”

Another said two days ago how Wayfairer Travel had “cancelled arrangements four days prior to the trip”.

Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust (ABTOT) said it has been told that Wayfairer is “unable to continue trading and is taking steps to appoint an administrator”.

ABTOT has advised costumers not to travel if they have booked a holiday with Wayfairer Travel on or before September 30.

If travelling later than this date, it has said to wait for further information.

Sun Travel has contacted Wayfairer Travel Ltd. for comment.

AN airport in the UK has been forced to close AGAIN just days after strike action resulted in cancelled flights.

Strikes have been ongoing throughout the last few weeks causing some passengers to be rerouted by over 100 miles.

And Norwich Airport will close again for three parts of today with flights already cancelled and delayed.

The air traffic closures are from 6am to 2pm, then 4pm to 4.45pm, and finally from 6.45pm to 7.30pm.

Three KLM flights have been cancelled so far, two of which were departing Norwich Airport this morning.

The 9am KLM flight from Amsterdam to Norwich has also been cancelled.

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However the 2.05pm flight is currently delayed to depart at 2.45pm.

Another flight set to depart Norwich at 5pm for Amsterdam remains on the schedule.

The TUI flight to Rhodes is set to leave at 2.05pm, rather than its scheduled time of 12:35pm.

On the website, it reads: “Due to Air Traffic Control staff sickness and ongoing industrial action which limits the flexibility to provide additional staff cover, Norwich Airport will be closed to air traffic on Thursday 3 September during the following periods: 0600 to 1400, 1600 to 1645  and 1845 to 1945.

“Airlines have been informed of the closures. Passengers should check with their airline for the latest information about their flight before travelling to the airport.

“We apologise to passengers for the inconvenience this may cause.”

Last month, Norwich Airport was forced to close for an entire day and suspend all of its flights.

The 24-hour-strike was held by Prospect union as part of an ongoing dispute over pay, terms and conditions.

Some passengers were forced to divert their journey by 101 miles as they departed from Southend Airport in Essex rather than Norwich.

AN AIRLINE has cancelled all of flights from a popular UK airport until further notice.

IndiGo has now stopped its flights from Manchester Airport to Delhi and Mumbai.

The suspension, originally announced back in June, is due to rising costs and airspace restrictions.

But from yesterday (August 31), the airline is “temporarily discontinuing” the flights, citing closed airspaces and higher costs.

There is currently no date of when the flights could return.

One of the six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft used for the route will be returned to Norse Atlantic Airways.

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IndiGo introduced its first direct flights from Manchester in July last year, with a non-stop route to Mumbai.

In November, the airline then introduced the route to Delhi.

At peak, the two routes would operate nine times a week.

With the removal of flights from Manchester, if you want to fly with IndiGo, you will now need to go to either London Heathrow or London Gatwick.

Abhijit Dasgupta, Senior Vice President – Network Planning & Revenue Management, IndiGo, said: “We inducted these wide-body aircraft on a short-term basis to fast-track our connectivity to high potential long-haul destinations such as Manchester, and witnessed very encouraging demand response.

“It is, therefore, unfortunate that longer flying times due to airspace constraints, coupled with dramatically escalating cost, has compelled us to take the decision to temporarily discontinue our India – Manchester services.

“We would like to thank our customers, trade partners in India and in the UK, and Manchester Airport for their amazing support.

“The response and support for these services have reinforced our belief in the opportunity for IndiGo’s long-haul ambitions, and this discontinuation is temporary in nature.

“We look forward to serving this route again at the earliest viable opportunity and are exploring innovative solutions to continuing our collaboration with Norse Atlantic Airways.”