'We lost over £1,000': Why some passengers were hit harder than others by air traffic chaos
A UK air traffic control failure left thousands of passengers stranded, with many facing significant financial losses for non-refundable travel expenses. While airlines are required to refund flights, they are not liable for additional costs like accommodation, leaving some travelers out of pocket.
Why it matters
The incident exposes the limitations of consumer protection laws during large-scale infrastructure failures in the travel industry.
Image caption, Catie and Phil unpacking at home
Cost of living correspondent Published 26 minutes ago Catie and Phil Allen should have been enjoying their first holiday in two-and-a-half years. Instead, they are at home ringing round for refunds that won't be paid.
The couple are among the many thousands of air passengers caught up in the chaos caused by the four-hour shutdown of the UK's air traffic control system on Tuesday.
It means their holiday to Slovenia has been cancelled and - although their flight was refunded by British Airways - they estimate being left £1,300 out of pocket from unused accommodation and excursions.
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