Latest news with #SkyRefund
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Ryanair demands urgent intervention as passengers face long delays and missed flights at major airport
Ryanair has demanded the Portuguese government 'urgently fix' staffing issues at airports across the country that have led to almost 300 passengers miss their flights. Europe's largest budget airline said the those that have managed to fly, including many travelling with young children, were being left to endure delays of up to two and a half hours. The problems are 'completely unacceptable', said Ryanair. Ongoing border control staff shortages at Faro, Lisbon, and Porto airports have been blamed for the issue, which are leading to 'excessive' queues. The carrier said that 'urgent action' is needed, especially during the peak morning period. It claims that during the two-week period from 26 May to 9 June, 270 passengers departing the affected airports missed their flights. Neal McMahon, Ryanair COO, criticised airport operator ANA Aeroportos de Portugal for the chaos. He blamed it for failing to ensure that 'adequate staff are in place to manage border control'. He added: 'This is not good enough, and the problem will only worsen as we go further into the summer season and traffic numbers increase.' Earlier this month, Portugal's minister of infrastructure, Miguel Pinto Luz, attempted to reassure tourists, promising that issues around border control would be 'resolved within two weeks', according to The Mirror. Ivaylo Danailov, CEO of airline compensation specialists SkyRefund, is warning that those caught up in the problems could be in line for some money under European Union rules. 'When severe border control delays at Portugal's major airports cause missed flights, airline passengers may be entitled to compensation or rerouting under EU Regulation 261/2004, especially if the airline could have mitigated the disruption. However, he added that it's a 'grey area'. 'Airlines are not required to pay compensation if a delay or missed flight was due to factors outside their control, such as political instability, extreme weather, or airport staff strikes (which includes border control issues not managed by the airline). 'But, if the airline could have reasonably foreseen the disruption, for example, repeated border delays and failed to act, it has been known for courts to have sometimes ruled in favour of the passenger. 'For instance, they may argue the airline should have allowed more time for security and border procedures or co-ordinated better. 'Either way passengers have a right to care and rebooking.' Vinci Airports, which operates the three airports under its ANA Aeroportos de Portugal subsidiary, has been contacted for comment. British tourists have begun using e-gates at Faro Airport after a deal was struck with the UK government. Since Brexit, Britons arriving at EU airports have generally been forced to queue for manned desks to have their passports stamped, rather than use automated gates with facial recognition technology – leading to long waits, particularly during peak periods. The Portuguese airport has started the rollout of e-gate access to British arrivals after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed an agreement with EU leaders last month. It hopes the deal will smooth over 'legal barriers to e-gates use for UK nationals', once a new stamp-free biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) launches in October.
Wales Online
02-06-2025
- Wales Online
Turkey fines tourists making common mistake - and other countries may follow
Turkey fines tourists making common mistake - and other countries may follow Travel experts say other popular holiday destinations may now make similar rules Passengers waiting to get off a plane Turkey is to implement a policy which will penalise passengers who smoke on board aircraft - as well as those who stand up before the aircraft is parked and the seatbelt signs are turned off. In 2024, an estimated 4.4 million British tourists visited Turkey, a 16.6% increase compared to the 3.3 million visitors in 2023. That means millions could be at risk of the common mistake - as many people undo their seatbelts and stand while the plane is taxiing towards the departure area in a bid to grab their bags and coats from the overhead locker, or beat the rush to get into the aisle. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of Turkey: "The 'Passenger Announcements Circular' No. UOD – 2025/01, prepared to revise and promptly implement standard, up-to-date announcements with the aim of warning passengers who smoke or use tobacco products on board, as well as those who stand up and disrupt order before the aircraft reaches its parking position and before the seatbelt signs are turned off, in order to discipline such passengers and raise awareness among all passengers, was approved by the Directorate General and entered into force on 02.05.2025." Ivaylo Danailov, CEO of airline compensation specialists SkyRefund said: 'On the positive side, this is clearly intended to enhance passenger safety. If it encourages passengers to remain seated, reducing risks of injuries due to unexpected turbulence or abrupt aircraft movement while taxiing, that's to be welcomed and it is likely to support crew efforts to enforce safety rules more effectively. "It may also deter passengers from engaging in disruptive or premature movement in the cabin, making disembarkation more orderly, which, in turn, may help airport operations. It also positions Turkey's aviation authority as serious about enforcing international flight safety standards and could set a precedent for other countries to implement similar measures. However, it could lead to passenger frustration or even confusion with tourists unfamiliar with the rules potentially feeling unfairly targeted or surprised by fines. Enforcement could be seen as overly aggressive. Article continues below "Airlines, in turn, may need to train staff to report violations, handle disputes, and manage documentation for fines. Delays or conflicts could arise during enforcement, especially on short-haul or budget flights. "Consideration will need to be given as to how are passengers identified, warned, and fined, with a potential for disputes if fines are perceived as arbitrary or unevenly applied. If - and it's a big if - it is perceived as hostile or inconvenient, it may affect Turkey's image among some tourists, particularly in peak travel seasons. "But, if it is successful, other countries may follow suit, especially those already dealing with unruly passenger behaviour. It could influence best practice or recommendations for post-landing safety protocols.'"
The Sun
15-05-2025
- The Sun
Thousands of travellers to be hit by European airline strikes this weekend
FINNAIR has warned that industrial action is likely to lead to cancelled flights this weekend. Due to strike action by the Finnish Aviation Union, on May 16 Finnair will cancel around 60 flights, impacting 6,000 customers. 2 Further strike action is also due to take place on May 19, which could impact more flights - though the airline is still assessing the potential impact for that day. On May 19, the destinations with the most significant number of Finnair departures from Helsinki include London Heathrow Airport with six planned departures on that day. In addition to London Heathrow, Finnair also flies to and from Manchester and Edinburgh. The airline has promised to offer alternative travel options for passengers whose flights might be canceled. Jaakko Schildt, COO of Finnair, said: "We are very sorry for the changes to our customers' travel plans caused by this situation. "We are doing our best to offer our customers new routing as quickly as possible." Similar industrial action occurred on May 2 and May 5, with the airline having to cancel between a third and a half of scheduled flights for those days. In terms of the rights of passengers affected by the industrial action, Darina Kovacheva, head of legal at airline compensation specialists SkyRefund, said: "The EC 261/2004 regulation on air passenger rights remains applicable during strikes. "Airlines must rebook affected passengers to their final destination at the earliest opportunity and offer Duty of Care, such as accommodation and meals, in the event of long delays." Darina added that if a flight is cancelled or heavily delayed, passengers may choose to request a refund instead. The Sun's Travel Editor Lisa Minot shares her top tips when flying "However, compensation for delays is not owed if the strike involves workers who are not directly employed by the airline. "If the strike directly involves Finnair employees, if you present yourself on time for check-in with a valid flight reservation and travel documents, and you are denied boarding you might be entitled to €250 (£210.96) if the distance you are travelling is 1,500 km or less." For flights over 1,500km within the European Common Aviation Area and all other areas between 1,500km and 3,500km, passengers are entitled to €400 (£337.54) and all other flights of more than 3,500km eligible for €600 (£506.31) compensation. "But the airline you are travelling on is affected but its staff are not striking, and you are still affected, you will not be eligible for financial compensation as the delay or cancellation has been caused by 'extraordinary circumstances'," added Darina. "But we still advise you to keep receipts for any expenses you incur during the delay." Meanwhile, AI is being used by British Airways planes to avoid bad weather and flight delays. Plus, the four times you will not get any compensation for a cancelled flight this summer. 2
North Wales Live
28-04-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
Disruption warning as airport staff go on strike for Bank Holiday weekend
600 employees in the ground handling and catering sector, as well as in the aircraft repair and maintenance sector, will take part in protest actions on Friday, May 2. As a result, 300 employees who handle passengers, ground handling, and cargo, will be going on strike the following Monday. Staff at Finnair, which flies to and from Edinburgh, Manchester and London Heathrow, are striking after unsuccessful negotiations regarding the extension of a collective agreement on wage conditions and the termination of temporary austerity measures. Finnair is Finland's largest airline. It operates regular flights to various countries around the world, including Europe, Asia, North America and the Pacific region. The company is a member of the Oneworld International alliance. In the UK, there are up to six Finnair flights per day between Heathrow and Helsinki. Darina Kovacheva, Head of Legal at airline compensation specialists SkyRefund, said: 'According to EU Regulation 261/2004, the eligibility for compensation for a flight disrupted by strike action depends largely on who calls the strike and how much control the airline has over it. "As this strike will involve Finnair employees, if you present yourself on time for check-in with a valid flight reservation and travel documents, and you are denied boarding you might be entitled to € 250 if the distance you are travelling is 1,500 km or less; € 400 for flights of more than 1,500 km within the European Common Aviation Area and all others between 1,500 and 3,500 km, with all other flights of more than 3,500 km eligible for € 600 compensation. 'If you're caught up in travel disruptions due to industrial action, regardless of your airline, they must look after you. "That means they should provide food and drinks that match the length of your wait, and if you're stuck overnight, they must also cover a hotel stay and transport between the airport and hotel. "The timing also matters - you're eligible for this support after a 2-hour delay on short-haul flights, 3 hours on medium-haul flights, and 4 hours on long-haul flights. "But keep in mind, if the airline you are travelling on is not Finnair, and therefore not striking, and you are still affected, you will not be eligible for financial compensation as the delay or cancellation has been caused by 'extraordinary circumstances', for example a strike by airport workers, who don't work for the airline on which you are travelling. "Still, it's sensible to hang on to your receipts for any expenses you rack up during the delay.'
Wales Online
28-04-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Disruption warning as airport staff go on strike for Bank Holiday weekend
Disruption warning as airport staff go on strike for Bank Holiday weekend Hundreds of employees are to walk out on Friday and Monday Queues at the airport 600 employees in the ground handling and catering sector, as well as in the aircraft repair and maintenance sector, will take part in protest actions on Friday, May 2 and 300 employees who handle passengers, ground handling, and cargo will be going on strike the following Monday. Staff at Finnair, which flies to and from Edinburgh, Manchester and London Heathrow, are striking after unsuccessful negotiations regarding the extension of a collective agreement on wage conditions and the termination of temporary austerity measures. Finnair is Finland's largest airline. It operates regular flights to various countries around the world, including Europe, Asia, North America and the Pacific region. The company is a member of the Oneworld International alliance. In the UK, there are up to six Finnair flights per day between Heathrow and Helsinki. Darina Kovacheva, Head of Legal at airline compensation specialists SkyRefund, said: 'According to EU Regulation 261/2004, the eligibility for compensation for a flight disrupted by strike action depends largely on who calls the strike and how much control the airline has over it. As this strike will involve Finnair employees, if you present yourself on time for check-in with a valid flight reservation and travel documents, and you are denied boarding you might be entitled to € 250 if the distance you are travelling is 1,500 km or less; € 400 for flights of more than 1,500 km within the European Common Aviation Area and all others between 1,500 and 3,500 km, with all other flights of more than 3,500 km eligible for € 600 compensation. Article continues below 'If you're caught up in travel disruptions due to industrial action, regardless of your airline, they must look after you. That means they should provide food and drinks that match the length of your wait, and if you're stuck overnight, they must also cover a hotel stay and transport between the airport and hotel. The timing also matters - you're eligible for this support after a 2-hour delay on short-haul flights, 3 hours on medium-haul flights, and 4 hours on long-haul flights. "But keep in mind, if the airline you are travelling on is not Finnair, and therefore not striking, and you are still affected, you will not be eligible for financial compensation as the delay or cancellation has been caused by 'extraordinary circumstances', for example a strike by airport workers, who don't work for the airline on which you are travelling. Still, it's sensible to hang on to your receipts for any expenses you rack up during the delay.'
