Air traffic control strike threatens flight disruption across Europe

Air traffic controllers in France, Germany, Spain and Portugal are planning to strike next Thursday, 10 October.

The dispute is in response to the EU's new SES2+ project, a plan to streamline Europe's air traffic control, which air traffic controllers feel will undermine safety and threaten jobs.

Although the countries where the strike is due to take place will be worse hit, the action is likely to impact across the whole of Europe, causing long delays and some cancellations.

As the strike is not planned to take place until next week there is a chance that an agreement will be reached before then and the strike will be called off.

If you plan to take a flight anywhere in Europe next Thursday you should monitor the situation carefully. Follow the Eurocontrol twitter feed for up to date information and if the strike does go ahead contact your airline before leaving for the airport.

Travel insurance for flight delays due to strike action

Although your airline has a legal duty to look after you if your flight is delayed due to strike action, you may also be able to claim an additional benefit from your travel insurance, provided you booked your trip and bought your travel insurance before the strike dates were announced.

The travel delay section of your travel insurance enables you to claim a fixed benefit for every 12 hours you are delayed, it is designed to help cover additional expenses such as food and drink whilst you wait at the airport.

In addition to this you may also have the option to ‘abandon' your holiday after a delay of 24 hours and make a claim to recoup your unrecoverable costs.

Travel delay cover is included on Silver, Gold and Platinum travel insurance policies from insurewithease.com

Get a travel insurance quote >>

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