On the Beach has committed to a 24-hour refund process for all cancelled flights (Image: Getty)
A UK holiday firm has introduced a 24-hour rule for flight cancellations in a major first for passengers.
Package holiday provider On the Beach has committed to a 24-hour refund process for all cancelled flights, meaning customers can get their money back on within a day. As part of its ‘Cancelled Flight Cover’, which comes as standard on all On the Beach packages, the firm will now process refunds immediately to give customers in the UK and Ireland their money back on the same-day so they can make new plans. The firm has launched the initiative as oil supplies remain restricted by the Iran war, sparking fears it could lead to flight cancellations this summer. The head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned last month that Europe has “maybe six weeks” of jet fuel left and if the Strait of Hormuz, which is a key oil shipping route, remains closed, it could result in cancelled holidays.
While the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Foreign Development Office (FCDO) has stressed there is “no current need” for passengers to change their travel plans for this summer, airlines across Europe are already cutting flights and trimming schedules due to rising fuel costs.
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Both KLM and Lufthansa are reducing their flight schedules due to rising fuel costs, while Irish airline Aer Lingus has cancelled 2% of its flights due to “mandatory maintenance” on its aircraft and changes to schedules.
Lufthansa has also announced the immediate closure of its feeder airline CityLine, taking 27 older aircraft out of service early, Scandinavian carrier SAS has cancelled at least a thousand flights in April, and easyJet has taken a £25 million hit on surging fuel prices.
Meanwhile, Airlines UK, which represents British Airways, Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, and Virgin Atlantic, has submitted an emergency document to the government and the Civil Aviation Authority warning that flight reductions and fare increases are inevitable unless urgent action is taken.
The document warns that the doubling of jet fuel costs represents a major price shock and calls on the government to secure fuel supplies, allow the temporary use of US-grade jet fuel not currently permitted in the UK, and ease slot usage requirements at major airports.
The FCDO said it is working closely with the aviation industry to “monitor risks and minimise disruption to passengers”, adding that if flights are cancelled, passengers have clear legal rights, including the right to a full refund or re-routing.
Other package holiday providers do currently provide refunds in the event of flight cancellations, but this can take up to 14 days to be processed.
But On the Beach says under its scheme, if your flight is cancelled it will find customers an alternative flight or issue a full refund on the entire holiday, processing it on the same-day.
Caspar Nelson, holiday expert at On the Beach, said: “Holidaymakers deserve certainty, especially when disruption strikes. We’re proud to be the first package holiday provider to commit to same-day refund processing for cancelled flights, giving customers the confidence to book knowing we’ve got their back when it matters most.
“If the worst happens and a flight is cancelled, we’ll move quickly to either find a new route or return every penny of their holiday money that same day, so they can get a new break booked, make alternative plans fast, and get back to looking forward to their summer instead of worrying about it.”
On the Beach said its new initiative is being launched to remind customers of their legal rights if their flight is cancelled. Under UK law, if your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to either a full refund or to be booked onto an alternative flight if you:
- depart from an airport in the UK on any airline
- arrive at an airport in the UK on an EU or UK airline
- arrive at an airport in the EU on a UK airline.
Commenting on the issue of jet fuel and travel plans at the end of April, the FCDO, Department for Transport and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said in a joint statement: “There is no current need to change upcoming travel plans. Government regularly meets with industry to monitor risks, understand pressures and ensure clear communication with passengers, should circumstances change.
“We recognise that families may be concerned, and that aviation and tourism businesses are operating in challenging global conditions. We are working hand‑in‑hand with industry to help flights keep operating.
“We advise passengers to continue checking with their airlines before they travel, and to check the FCDO travel advice for the latest updates. You should also ensure you have appropriate travel insurance.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
