Travel uncertainty and refund delays for travellers..here’s how you can get help

Each day it seems lockdown restrictions are changing. Recently it was announced the end of the 14-day quarantine rule for travel from certain countries.

Furthermore, the UK Foreign Office has changed its travel advice with immediate effect for all UK travellers to now allow non-essential travel to a long list of countries, including many popular holiday destinations.

Richard Williams, Head of Transport Policy at The Consumer Council, said: “We advise Northern Ireland travellers to check carefully how the travel restrictions will affect their plans, by visiting the NIDirect Covid-19 travel advice webpage, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website and by checking the terms of their travel insurance.”

Meanwhile, The Consumer Council has helped consumers in Northern Ireland get back over a quarter of a million pounds in flight refunds during the Covid-19 pandemic, but many consumers are still waiting for their refund.

Richard said: “Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, we have been urging the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to take action to ensure that airlines provide passengers refunds in a timely manner. On July 1, the CAA confirmed that most airlines have delayed paying refunds and we want them to enforce the law on airlines to issue refunds.”

Since March 1 2020, The Consumer Council has received over 1,300 airline enquiries and complaints, a 538% increase on the same period last year. 94% of these were regarding refunds.

To date they have managed to get airlines to refund over £250k to Northern Ireland consumers.

Richard added: “If you are having trouble getting a refund from an airline, contact us on Freephone number 0800 121 6022 or email [email protected]. You can also find information on our dedicated webpage, www.consumercouncil.org.uk/coronavirus.”

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