What to do if your flight is cancelled over European wildfires

European wildfires have wreaked havoc on travel plans at numerous popular holiday destinations this summer. Yet travellers whose flights have been cancelled or delayed may need to take additional steps beyond simply waiting for their next departure, according to travel industry specialists.

Travel professionals have cautioned that wildfires and other natural disasters can have far-reaching consequences for holiday arrangements, with unforeseen costs rapidly mounting amidst the uncertainty. Manuela Savoca, travel expert at Transfeero, highlighted six crucial factors that many holidaymakers overlook when their flights are disrupted.

Check everything

Wildfires typically impact local ground transportation initially before disrupting air travel, meaning that if your flight has been delayed or cancelled, you may also encounter significant problems with nearby roads, rail networks and other transport links around the airport. The specialist advised monitoring local authority announcements and transport operator updates.

Rebook quickly but shop around

A cancelled flight can result in hundreds of passengers scrambling to secure seats on the next available aircraft to the same destination. While speed is crucial to escape the airport as swiftly as possible, the expert suggested still taking time to compare options, as alternative nearby airlines, airports or arrival cities might get you to your destination considerably faster.

Keep Hold of Receipts

Depending on what caused your delay or cancellation, airlines or your travel insurance may be able to reimburse some of the expenses you incur while awaiting your next flight. This can cover food, accommodation or alternative transport, and retaining the appropriate receipts can simplify the process of reclaiming these costs.

Safeguard the Remainder of Your Trip

If your outbound flight is disrupted, this will probably impact everything else you've arranged, from airport transfers to hotels, cruises and excursions. It's advisable to contact all these providers as promptly as possible with your revised travel details, as some may be able to offer flexibility.

Understand Precisely What Assistance Is on Offer

Airlines can provide various forms of support depending on the cause of your flight delay or cancellation. It's better to know what's available from the outset rather than paying yourself and hoping to claim everything back afterwards.

Be Ready for Poor Connectivity

When flights are cancelled or delayed, airports become busier as passengers make alternative arrangements. This means charging points and mobile network capacity can rapidly become stretched.

The expert recommended: "Carry a fully charged power bank, download offline boarding passes, hotel confirmations and maps before travelling, and keep important phone numbers easily accessible in case your internet connection becomes unreliable."