Here are your rights if your flights get cancelled

UK passengers are currently facing long delays and possible cancellations due to a technical issue affecting air traffic control services. The problem is causing issues at a range of airports including Manchester, London Heathrow, and Edinburgh. In an update to passengers, NATS said, "We are investigating a technical issue which is causing some disruption to flight departures." You should know your rights if your flight gets cancelled. (Image: Getty Images) Flight cancellations can quickly turn travel plans upside down, but passengers are not without rights when journeys are disrupted. Under UK law, airlines are required to provide care and assistance in the event of a cancelled flight, regardless of the reason for the disruption. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has clarified what travellers are entitled to, including accommodation, meals, and transport between the airport and hotel if re-routed to the following day. The CAA said: "The airline must provide you with these items until it is able to fly you to your destination, no matter how long the delay lasts or what has caused it." If airlines are unable to arrange assistance due to large-scale disruption, passengers are advised to organise their own accommodation and transport and reclaim the costs later. The CAA said: "If you end up paying for things yourself, keep every receipt and do not spend more than is reasonable. "Airlines are unlikely to refund you for things like luxury hotels or alcohol. "Some will provide guidance on reasonable costs." Travellers must also be given the choice between a full refund for unused parts of their ticket or an alternative flight. Compensation may be available depending on the cause of the cancellation. The CAA said: "Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other 'extraordinary circumstances' are not eligible for compensation." Compensation is also dependent on the notice given and the timing of the replacement flight. The CAA said: "If you received less than seven days' notice of the cancellation, you can claim compensation based on the timings of the alternative flight. "If your new flight departs no more than one hour before the scheduled time of your original flight and your new flight arrives less than two hours after the scheduled time of your original flight, you are not entitled to financial compensation." More detailed information on entitlements and compensation can be found on the CAA website. Do you know your rights when it comes to airlines cancelling flights? Let us know in the comments.