Package Holiday - return flight cancelled

nuttyalmond95

I booked an all inclusive package holiday to Mauritius in November with TravelUp/Holiday Genie. We've just been informed by the agent that the return flight has been changed by Air Mauritius. They have moved the return flight to the 18th November (it was originally on the 16th), as the flight on the 16th has been cancelled, citing operational flight delays and cancellations.

The agent asked if we would like to accept this scheduled change, and that alternative airlines are proving to be very costly. They have also stated that if we accept this change, we would need to find two more nights in a hotel and they can help us find one if needed.
Alternatively, if we do not wish to accept this change, they can look at changing the airlines but there would be an increased cost and it would be indirect flights.

My questions are:

• What are our rights in this situation?
• What options are available to us (other than the above)?
• Who is liable to cover the cost of any alternative options taken?

eskbanker

Your rights here are governed by the Package Travel Regulations, and in particular regulation 11:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/634/regulation/11

Essentially, where a change is forced on the package organiser (as here) then they must offer you alternative options (as they appear to be doing) but if you don't wish to proceed after a significant change to the plans, then you have the right to cancel for a full refund of everything paid.  The organiser isn't obliged to foot the bill though, so if the cost increases, then either you pay it or you take the refund....

MyRealNameToo

nuttyalmond95 said:

My questions are:

1. What are our rights in this situation?
2. What options are available to us (other than the above)?
3. Who is liable to cover the cost of any alternative options taken?

1. Accept their offer or cancel

2. To cancel

3. You

Alan_Bowen

Air Mauritius leaves a lot to be desired, their senior management team were fired at the beginning of the year and the lack of airworthy planes lead to many cancellations on the day of departure. It does seem to have got better as they now cancel in advance but there are still reports of long delays. Before you decide to accept a longer holiday I would ask how much it would cost to change to Emirates, for example, and compare the cost to the cost of staying for longer. 

One of the ongoing issues is that when things go wrong the staff agree to pay for overnight accommodation and taxis, for example, but then completely ignore the requests to do so after the event. Being positive for a moment, most people think the food is better than average!

Ordinary_Yet_Unique

British Airways operate three flights weekly non stop from Gatwick to Mauritius. Have you looked at them? Maybe easier than having to go via somewhere else. I personally would prefer non stop for such a long flight without having to transit.