Media Comment: Air Traffic Control issues

Advantage Travel Partnership's CEO Julia Lo-Bue Said comments on the recent outage in the UK's air traffic control system

Julia Lo Bue-Said OBE, Chief Executive Officer of Advantage Travel Partnership said: “While the entire London airspace being closed was a disaster for the travel industry and consumers, fortunately the incident was resolved relatively quickly so while we'd advise consumers not to panic, there has been a knock-on effect with flight delays so we'd advise those who are due to fly this evening or tomorrow check with their airline or travel agent for the latest updates.

Airlines will be working hard today to make sure that they can resume operations as soon as possible. It is the summer holidays so airports are likely to be incredibly busy so the impact will be felt by many.

Under UK Law, when flights are delayed or cancelled, airlines have a duty to look after their passengers be that by providing meals, accommodation with an obligation of getting you to your destination as soon as possible, even if that’s on an alternative airline, however customers can also choose to have a full refund if this is preferred. Compensation however tends to be offered when the airline is at fault whereas today’s event is likely to qualify as “extraordinary circumstances” so compensation may not be offered.”