Brits unlikely to get money back for flights cancelled due to volcano eruption

22 May 2023 , 11:24

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The Eyjafjallajökull eruption impacted 10 million passengers (Image: Getty Images)

Passengers may be refused compensation if their flight is cancelled because of a volcanic eruption.

Yesterday Europe's most active volcano, Mount Etna, spewed a huge dark cloud into the sky, raining ash down on Catania, eastern Sicily's largest city, and forcing a suspension of flights at the city's airport.

No injuries have been reported following the blast, which caused a great plume of molten liquid to fire out of the mountain. Ash was seen raining down and covering cars near the volcano.

In a further show of ferocious lava based activity, Popocatepetl volcano in Mexico blasted off on Saturday, causing the Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City to temporarily shut down.

While the chances of being caught up in the aftereffects of an eruption may not seem that high, the hugely widespread consequences of the Eyjafjallajökull explosion in 2010 - which saw 10 million passengers impacted - highlights how disruptive volcanic activity can be.

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Mount Etna erupted over the weekend (file photo) (Emilio Messina Photography / SW)

Given that, it is important to know what your rights are if you're due to travel during an eruption.

If a flight is cancelled because of an event that is considered ‘freak’ or ‘wholly exceptional’, then the airline does not need to pay customers compensation.

For example, if it snowed in Egypt during the summer and the runway was judged to be too slippery for planes to safely take off, the aviation firm would not need to pay out compensation as such weather couldn't realistically be predicted in such a warm country.

Although volcanic activity is easier to predict than summertime snow storms and flash floods, eruptions are still considered freak weather events.

Popocatepetl has also erupted in the past few days (AFP via Getty Images)

Delays due to volcanic activity and ash clouds are considered an extraordinary circumstance, even when scientists have predicted that a volcano may soon erupt.

That means you're unlikely to be able to claim back any compensation if your flight is cancelled and your holiday is disrupted.

However, airline still need to provide care and assistance, such as overnight accommodation and food and drink, if you find yourself unable to fly because of such an event.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority, airlines must provide passengers with the following things until it is able to fly you to your destination, no matter how long the delay lasts or what has caused it.

• A reasonable amount of food and drink (often provided in the form of vouchers)
• A means for you to communicate (often by refunding the cost of your calls)
• Accommodation, if you are re-routed the next day (usually in a nearby hotel)
• Transport to and from the accommodation (or your home, if you are able to return there)

In some cases you might be able to claim compensation for a flight impact by volcanic activity, if your flight was delayed because of the knock-on effects of a different flight being affected by the eruption.

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For example, if you are booked to fly from Manchester to Paris, but the airline cancels the flight citing an ash cloud over Italy (where the aircraft was before arriving in Manchester), you may be able to claim.

Milo Boyd