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25th September 2024
09:52am BST
The industrial action is expected to disrupt key travel hubs, including Bologna, Milan, Rome, and Venice, affecting thousands of passengers traveling to and from Italy.
As the strikes loom, passengers are being urged to familiarise themselves with their rights, particularly in cases of flight delays or cancellations.
A spokesperson for Claims.co.uk offered some advice for affected travellers: "For those flying to or from Italy in the coming days, it’s important to understand your entitlements if your flight is disrupted."
For passengers whose flights are cancelled, particularly those who booked package holidays, several options are available.
Travellers can claim a full refund, reroute to the original destination, or, in some cases, get compensation from the airline.
However, delays or cancellations caused by air traffic control strikes are classified as "extraordinary circumstances," which means they do not qualify for standard compensation.
In these cases, airlines have to provide additional services to passengers based on the length of the delay.
If a flight is delayed by two hours or more, passengers are entitled to free meals and refreshments.
If the delay stretches overnight, airlines have to offer free accommodation and transfers to and from the airport.
“If the delay exceeds five hours, passengers can choose not to travel and receive a full refund for their ticket, even if the flight is not officially canceled,” the spokesperson added.
For those on package holidays, travel operators need to notify customers of any cancellations as soon as possible.
If a flight can’t be rescheduled, resulting in the cancellation of the entire holiday, operators have to offer an alternative holiday or a full refund, not just for the flight but for the entire package.
“If you’re already at the airport when your flight is cancelled, it’s recommended to contact your travel company immediately to discuss your options,” the spokesperson advised.
With continued uncertainty due to the strikes, passengers are advised to monitor the latest updates on their flights via airline apps, websites, or official social media channels before heading to the airport.
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