What are my rights if my flight is cancelled?

Airlines including Tui and EasyJet have cancelled dozens of flights over the half-term holiday, with the travel industry struggling to recruit and train new staff quick enough as demand returns following the pandemic.

Companies say they're facing a number of challenges including staff shortages, air traffic control restrictions, runway works and airport handling delays.

So what are your rights if your flight is cancelled?

If you're flying from a UK airport on any airline, arriving at a UK airport on an EU or UK airline, or arriving at an airport in the EU on a UK airline, you have a number of rights under UK law.

What you're entitled to depends on what caused the cancellation and how much notice you were given.

If the disruption wasn't the airline's fault and was caused by "extraordinary circumstances" which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken, you won't be eligible for compensation.

This includes issues such as extreme weather or air traffic control strikes.

If your flight is cancelled with less than two weeks notice, you may be able to claim compensation based on the timings of the alternative flight you're offered.

The amount you're entitled to also depends on how far you were travelling. For example:

If your flight is covered under UK law, your airline must let you choose between either getting a refund or choosing an alternative flight.

You can get your money back for any part of the ticket you haven't used. So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.

If you still want to travel, your airline must find you an alternative flight. If another airline is flying to your destination significantly sooner, or there are other suitable modes of transport available, then you have a right to be booked onto that alternative transport instead.

If your flight is cancelled, airlines must also provide you with other assistance until you're able to fly to your destination.

If your airline is unable to arrange assistance, you have the right to organise this yourself and claim back the cost later. In this case, the Civil Aviation Authority advises people to keep receipts and not spend more than necessary.

You're entitled to the same assistance if your flight is delayed by more than two hours.

If you're delayed by more than five hours and no longer want to travel, you can get a full refund.