The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot has explained why so many flights are being cancelled.

YET again, hundreds of thousands of passengers have had holiday plans torn to shreds by air traffic control problems and weather chaos.

Staff shortages at Gatwick’s Air Traffic Control on Sunday – the third time this year that last-minute sickness has seen hundreds of flights cancelled – are still causing delays and cancellations into Monday.

It comes after a weekend of travel mayhem across our two largest airports.

Aviation analytics firm Cirium said a total of 427 flights were cancelled departing the UK last week, two per cent of all scheduled departures and a 223 per cent increase over the week before.

The troubles at both are being blamed on air traffic control restrictions, staff sickness and a weekend of thunderstorms.

But there’s no doubt, delays and cancellations are getting worse as ever-more flights take to increasingly-congested skies.

No-fly restrictions due to the Ukraine war and the Middle Eastern conflict have meant UK and European air traffic controllers  are funnelling ever more planes through busy skies.

But the common issue both here and across the Channel increasingly comes from staff shortages and last-minute sickness.

The system is stretched to breaking point and it doesn’t take much for the pack of cards to come tumbling down.

The pandemic laid waste to the aviation industry and some four years on it still has an impact. It takes a minimum of three years to train an air traffic controller.

The UK currently has fewer officers than in 2019, according to trade union Prospect and the pace of retirements is causing even more pressure.

 In Europe, similar problems mean when staff shortages or weather conditions cause issues, the only solution is to restrict the number of flights in the skies, leading to the mass cancellations and delays.

What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?

Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.

If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.

You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.

So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.

But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.

When am I not entitled to compensation?

The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.

Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.

Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?

If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.

Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.

Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.

If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.