Martin Lewis is warning Brits to be "very aware" of booking mistakes ahead of the summer holiday season as the conflict in the Middle East continues. This is when they book flights and accommodation separately, as this risks little protection if flights are cancelled.
Package holidays offer more protection
Pointing towards package holidays, Martin said: "No, no, and this is what I think people need to be very aware of." Package holidays can offer a full refund if their flights are cancelled, unlike individual bookings where it is solely up to the traveller to try and get refunds.
Martin added: "If you lose your flight in your DIY booking, there is nothing wrong with your hotel… it’s not faulty, it’s not cancelling, so you don’t get those consumer rights."
Ongoing Iran war risk
With the Iran war still ongoing, there is a consistent risk of flights being cancelled, or fuel shortages grounding planes. Summer holidays will be 'better protected' under plans to 'avoid unnecessary disruption at the departure gate'.
With conflict in the Middle East causing 'ongoing global uncertainty', the Government's contingency preparations hope to give families greater confidence when travelling abroad this summer by allowing airlines to 'plan realistically and lock in schedules earlier'.
Government measures
Although UK airlines were not currently facing supply issues, the Government will consult with the industry so they will be able to 'act quickly before disruption takes hold'. Temporary measures would include allowing airlines to consolidate schedules on routes where there are multiple flights to the same destination on the same day.
This would avoid flights being cancelled at the last minute and help move passengers onto similar services much earlier. The Government said this would help avoid stressful delays at the airport, prevent flights running which have not sold a significant proportion of tickets, and reduce fuel wastage from near-empty planes taking off.
Transport Secretary's comments
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander discussed the plans at a roundtable with key industry figures - including representatives from Heathrow, Gatwick, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and easyJet - on April 30.
Ms Alexander said: "Since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the Government has been monitoring jet fuel supplies daily and working with airlines, airports and fuel suppliers to stay ahead of any problems. There are no immediate supply issues, but we’re preparing now to give families long-term certainty and avoid unnecessary disruption at the departure gate this summer. This legislation will give airlines the tools to adjust flights in good time if they need to, which helps protect passengers and businesses. We will do everything we can to insulate our country from the impact of the situation in the Middle East."
