Travel chaos: The operators reporting issues – and how to claim a refund

Many people have been looking to take advantage of an Easter getaway with schools breaking up for their traditional holiday period. However, thousands have seen their plans scuppered by delays at airports and ferry terminals across the UK.

During the last week, staff shortages forced more than 100 flights a day to remain grounded.

Ferry operators are equally struggling to meet demand after P&O suspended all of its services.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he was “very concerned” about the level of disruption and called on travel operators to “redouble their efforts” to ensure everyone travelling abroad “can get away as smoothly as possible”.

The Government has been accused by the Labour Party of being “missing in action”.

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Conversely, if your flight was short-haul – less than 1,500km – you are entitled to compensation of £220 a passenger.

The figure grows to £350 for middle-distance flights of 1,500 to 3,500km.

And long haul destinations of more than 3,500 km away are covered up to £520.

Disruptions to flights have been created by high levels of crew absences, in part related to Covid infections, but also because airlines may not have rehired enough staff since lockdowns eased.