Spain and Portugal Travel: Protecting Your Rights When Flights Are Cancelled Due to Blackouts

The blackout that hit Spain and Portugal on Monday caused significant travel disruptions, with more than 500 flights being canceled.

Many travelers found themselves stuck, with some even sleeping on the airport floor overnight.

If your flights were delayed or canceled, here’s what you should understand regarding your entitlements for assistance and compensation.

I had my flight canceled; do I have a right to get compensated?

According to UK and EU legislation, travellers have the right to compensation For a canceled flight, however, this applies solely when the airline is at fault, unlike in cases of power outages.

"Since the disturbance was triggered by factors beyond the airline's control, passengers might not receive any direct compensation from the carrier," stated Ernesto Suarez, CEO of a travel insurance firm. Gigasure .

In this scenario, airlines must offer assistance such as hotel accommodations or meals to passengers whose flights have been canceled.

Based on your situation, you might also get financial assistance for making different travel plans.

Customers have the right to receive a duty of care when their flights are delayed by more than two hours. After a certain period, airlines must supply refreshments accordingly.

Should the delay extend through the night, airlines are technically required to locate and cover the cost of accommodations. However, in reality, service providers frequently argue that doing so is "too complicated" and instead ask travelers to arrange their own lodging with promises of future reimbursements.

Is it possible to make a claim with my travel insurance for a canceled flight?

"People who have travel insurance might get some financial protection if their entire trip, or parts of it, gets delayed, canceled, or shortened because of the power outage," according to Suarez.

If the client has purchased extended travel disruption coverage, they might receive protection against travel delays, deciding to abandon or shorten their journey, as well as extra expenses incurred from changing lodgings or prolonging their stay.

Should passengers have already taken their journey and find themselves unable to return because of the power outages, numerous travel insurance Suarez notes that policies will keep providing coverage until you have the opportunity to return, without any extra cost.

Should you possess coverage for prolonged travel disruptions, you might also qualify for reimbursement covering extra travel and lodging expenses until such time as you're able to return home, contingent upon the specifics of your policy including its terms, conditions, and exclusions.

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It’s crucial to review the exact phrasing of your policy, however, typically if the hold-up or cancelation isn’t due to something within your control, you should have the option to file a claim.

Travel and insurance expert Michelle Cooper from Saga Travel Insurance urges travellers to keep a clear record of all extra expenses they incurred because of the disruption.

“It’s strongly recommended that travellers retain all receipts for accommodation, meals, and transport, along with written confirmation from airlines or travel providers about any cancellations or delays - like emails and texts,” she says.

It could also be beneficial to snap pictures of your receipts. You'll require these documents later. submitting a claim Whenever feasible, capture screenshots of airline correspondence and also store backups offline, just in case internet connectivity is interrupted.

Entitlements for compensation related to emergency housing

Several travelers experienced insecurity at their lodging or couldn’t reach it because electronic door locks malfunctioned amid the power outage.

"If your hotel lacked functional emergency lights, air conditioning, or fire safety systems, it might not have been safe for you to remain there," explains Cooper.

If you chose to relocate, ensure you retain all receipts along with proof of why you were compelled to depart, like photographs or documented verification from the lodging establishment. Hold onto all invoices related to your new living arrangement. insurance claims .”

If I decide against traveling to Spain or Portugal, do I have the right to receive a refund?

"You can only cancel your trip and make an insurance claim if either the airline or tour operator decides to cancel your travel, or if the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), along with its equivalent agency in another EU nation, issues advice against traveling to your intended destination," clarifies Cooper.

“Otherwise, claims may not be valid. It's a good idea to follow your tour operator's app or social media pages for real-time updates on trip cancellations to stay informed.”

The situation in Spain and Portugal is almost fully resolved, but if you decide to change your travel plans, your existing insurance may not be valid.

“If you change your destination or travel dates significantly, you’ll need to either update your insurance policy or consider purchasing a new one to ensure you’re fully covered for your new plans,” says Cooper.