What to do if you're stranded abroad?

Date: 28 Mar 19

Icelandic carrier WOW Air has now suspended all operations with immediate effect. FlyBe have also recently advised that some services from Exeter, Norwich, Cardiff and Doncaster will be suspended. Which gives rise to the question ‘What can I do if I am stranded abroad’?

If you have booked your flights with an agency that holds an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence (ATOL) and received confirmation of the same, your travel agency is responsible for your flight arrangements and must either make an alternative flight available for you or provide you a full refund.

If your carrier is still operating as normal, they should provide you with a full refund of your ticket or provide alternative travel arrangements. If your airline has gone into liquidation you might be protected by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and we advise you to contact your bank. However, when an airline goes into liquidation, it is more than likely that they are not able to provide you with alternative arrangements.

We are aware that following the announcement of WOW Air suspending operations, the follow carriers are offering rescues fees:

• EasyJet
• Norwegian Air
• Wizz Air
• Iceland Air
• British Airways
• Virgin Atlantic
• Aer Lingus

Can I claim flight cancellation compensation if the airline I am due to travel with goes bust?

If you were informed of your cancellation 14 days prior to the scheduled departure, you could still be eligible for EC261 compensation. However, if the airline has declared bankruptcy claims can no longer be filed against the airline directly and should be sent to the liquidator who is in charge of the airline's financial matters.

If you wish to file a claim against Wow Air, please find below contact information for their liquidator:

Sveinn Andri Sveinsson hrl.
Liquidator of WOW air
Grjotagata 7
101 Reykjavik

Can I claim flight delay compensation following the changes with FlyBe?

Although nothing has been finalised there has been discussions within FlyBe to suspend operations from certain airports following financial difficulties. We have noted an increase in flight delays and cancellations following this announcement for which you should be eligible for compensation.

If you have suffered a disruption with FlyBe please click here, you could be entitled to upto €600 compensation.