Flight delayed and not worth us going, can we receive compensation or a refund?

Bobby_Peel

Hi, I wonder if anybody can help me.

We were due to fly last night at 23:15 04/07/25 from Manchester to Corfu. It was only a two night break and are due to fly back on Sunday at 13:20.

The flight has been delayed till today (05/07/25) at 13:00.

One member of staff said the delay was due to French air traffic control (standard answer) but I’ve had an email stating it was due to staffing issues. I was watching the flight due for us and it had to divert and land elsewhere. I’m guessing this delay put the staff over their working hours?

They’ve put us up in a hotel for the night and we’re weighing our options is it worth going as we’ll probably arrive at the hotel at 8:30pm and we’re getting picked up at 08:30am on Sunday for the transfer.

Can anybody help if we’re entitled to compensation?

I called the TUI line and she said I wouldn’t be and it would have to be a full 24 hour delay.

Reading this, it’s states of it’s over 5 hours we don’t need to take the flight:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/holiday-cancellations-and-compensation/if-your-flights-delayed-or-cancelled/

Any help appreciated and we can make our decision in the morning.

Thanks 

Hoenir

Bobby_Peel said:

One member of staff said the delay was due to French air traffic control (standard answer) 

1,500 flights cancelled and 300,000 people impacted. Will have resulted in schedules being thrown out the window. 

NoodleDoodleMan

French ATC apparently have been up to their regular messing everybody about tactics again, so it MAY be circumstances outwith TUI's control.

You'd need to get that confirmed of course.

bagand96

TUI are either mis-understanding or being vague, you're right that according to EC261 you're entitled not to travel and to receive a full refund of the flight (and the unused return flight).  This is irrespective of the reason the the delay. Were you package holiday customer or flight only?  It may be that TUI are confusing the package holiday T&Cs.  However I don't think the fact it's a package prejudices EC261 rights.

If you do decide not to travel just keep in mind it may be an uphill struggle to get your money back if TUI are conveniently overlooking their EC261 obligations.  In any communication with them state that due to the delay of 5+ hours you wish not to travel as per EC261.

You may be entitled to compensation, but only if the delay was something within TUI's control.  There has been French ATC Industrial action this week, although you also state staffing and a divert so the reason seems not be clear.  The compensation issue is interesting, if you opt not to travel I'm unsure whether you could claim it - as you weren't delayed - although you could interpret it as a cancellation where compensation would be payable.