UK air traffic shutdown: passengers left £1,300 out of pocket

A UK air traffic control shutdown on Tuesday caused widespread flight cancellations, leaving passengers like Catie and Phil Allen £1,300 out of pocket after their holiday to Slovenia was ruined. The couple received a flight refund but lost money on separately booked accommodation and excursions. The Allens were on a British Airways flight that never departed, and the offered alternative would have arrived four days late, prompting them to take a refund. Airlines are not required to pay extra compensation because the disruption was beyond their control, though they face millions in costs. Passengers are entitled to care assistance while waiting, but only "reasonable expenses" are covered. Aviation Minister Keir Mather called the disruption "unacceptable" and announced an independent review by the Civil Aviation Authority. Flight data firm Cirium reported the aviation system had "stabilised significantly" by Thursday, with only about 100 of over 6,000 scheduled flights affected.