Volcanic ash: airlines no longer covering bills
Updated on 20 April 2010
As airports begin to reopen, Channel 4 News has learnt that a number of European airlines are no longer covering the bills of passengers delayed abroad.
The European airlines had called for the suspension of an EU law (Regulation 261/2004) that requires them to provide free food, accommodation and other necessities under the law's "right to care" provisions.
The rules still apply despite the recent volcanic eruptions.
However it seems that some companies have already started denying stranded passengers free food and accommodation.
Channel 4 News has spoken to unhappy passengers from a number of European airlines, currently waiting for a rescheduled flight, who have discovered that the airline is no longer covering their bills.
Duncan Maloney, 23, told the programme he is still stranded in San Francisco waiting for a return flight with KLM.
"KLM Air France were originally picking up the tab. However after four days we received a letter under our door that said 'due to the uncertainty of the situation, KLM will no longer funding your for a hotel and you need to rebook'," he said.
The airlines had met the president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barrosso and three commissioners in Brussels to discuss the impact of the shutdown of European airspace due to the dangers posed by volcanic ash from Iceland.
Rochelle Turner, from Which? Holiday said the airlines should be made to stick to existing regulations.
"You've got to feel sorry for the airlines, but at the same time the regulation is there to protect people so if your flight is cancelled you are entitled to hotels and food and drink appropriate to the delay," she said.
