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Following a recent volcanic eruption in Iceland, a cloud of volcanic ash – currently north of Scotland – is now posing a potentially serious hazard to aircraft and air traffic control services, with NATS has closing some of the UK airspace as a precaution.
Many UK airports have grounded flights, with flight restrictions extended by air traffic control service Nats until 0100 BST Tuesday 20th April.
Maven advise all travellers to contact the airport/airline before travelling to the airport to determine whether any flights are taking off or whether their particular flight is affected, either entirely or is to be delayed.
Many travel agents and tour operators are urging travellers to travel to the airport (if open) and to check- in as normal, as this situation could change quickly. If your trip has been booked through either a travel agent or tour operator, we advise you to contact them in the first instance as many are providing emergency travel helplines.
At this time, airlines are clearly stating that they will be offering full refunds in the event the flight is delayed or cancelled with the option of re-booking within 30 days.
Where the cost of re-arranging a flight exceeds the amount of the refund for the cancelled flight, we will consider the difference as a re-arrangement claim under the disruption cover.
Please note that the travel delay benefit will NOT apply to this circumstance – the following exclusion applies specifically in respect of the Travel Delay cover:
‘Insurers shall not be liable for withdrawal from service temporarily or otherwise of an aircraft, sea vessel or other publicly licensed conveyance on the orders or recommendation of the manufacturer, the Civil Aviation Authority, Rail Authority or Port Authority or any similar body in any country’.
If, as a result of the flight being either cancelled or delayed, you remain liable for accommodation costs booked and not recoverable, then we will consider such costs under the cancellation cover.