The consumer group Which? says that four in 10 travel insurance policies do not cover travellers for strikes by airport or airline staff. Researchers assessed almost 200 policy documents, and found that 78 did not cover the effects of industrial action.
Fortunately consumer legislation means that, in many cases, the consequences of strikes are dealt with by airlines and holiday companies.
These are the key questions and answers.
What did the research find?
Of the 199 travel insurance policies that were checked, 120 offered cover if travellers have to cancel a trip due to strikes. One of the remaining 79 had industrial action cover as an optional extra, while the rest did not provide for cancellation due to a strike.
Jenny Ross, Which? Money editor, said: “With many airlines warning of widespread disruption this summer and Covid cases on the rise, travellers should ensure they’ve taken out adequate insurance to cover any losses or unexpected costs they might face.”
What happens if a strike disrupts my trip?
In almost all circumstances, the airline is responsible for making good your journey.
For example, SAS has grounded flights today from London Heathrow to Copenhagen, Oslo and Stavanger because of a pilots’ strike. The Scandinavian airline must get passengers to their destinations on the same day if there is any way of doing so – ideally (from its perspective) on one of its flights that is still operating, but otherwise by paying for a ticket on another carrier.
In this case, British Airways has flights available from London to Copenhagen for £540 one way – a fare that is a problem for SAS, not you. The carrier advises passengers “to arrange alternative means of travel themselves and seek reimbursement from SAS”.
The same deal applies with all other existing and threatened industrial action – including easyJet and Ryanair cabin crew in various European countries, as well as 700 passenger service agents working for British Airways at Heathrow (two weeks’ notice is required of industrial action, so nothing will happen before 20 July).
And if there is no alternative flight on the same day?
The airline that cancels a flight – for any reason – must provide a hotel room and meals until it can get you to your destination. Again, it is likely that the carrier will not provide it, and you should keep all receipts. Alcohol is not included.
What if I am on a package holiday?
The picture is cloudier, but the presumption is that your holiday will go…
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