SOUTHEND Airport remains closed after a small plane crashed in a fireball yesterday.
A statement from the airport last night said: “All flights to and from the airport have been cancelled while police, emergency services and air accident investigators are attending the incident.
The Sun’s Head Of Travel, Lisa Minot explains what to do if your Southend flight is impacted by the recent crash[/caption]
“We ask that any passengers due to travel tomorrow (Monday) via London Southend Airport contact their airline for information and advice.”
The closure of Southend Airport could not have come at a worse time.
With the start of the school holidays just a week away, schedules would have ramped up for both low-cost giant easyJet and domestic airline Eastern Airways.
At easyJet there is the possibility of diverting flights to its other bases in the south east including Gatwick and Luton.
Anyone impacted should immediately contact their airline and make sure they also have all your most up to date contact details.
As the closure of the airport was in no way the fault of the airlines there is no compensation due.
But airlines do have a duty of care to ensure you are looked after and crucially delivered to your final destination as soon as possible.
You are also entitled to a refund but bear in mind if you take this option, your airline will then have no further responsibility.
Those abroad who have been unable to return to the UK due to the airport closure should still be provided with food and drink during any delay and overnight accommodation if it is necessary.
If your airline does not provide you with vouchers for refreshments or a hotel, you are able to claim any expenses back from the airline but only if the purchases are proportionate and make sure to keep all receipts.
If you have travel insurance it is also worth checking to see if you can claim for any other expenses, such as accommodation or tours that you were unable to take.
Southend Airport remains closed after a small plane crashed in a fireball yesterday[/caption]
