What is causing travel chaos at some UK airports and what are your rights?

Many people have met with long lines at airports and flights have been canceled because of the Queen's jubilee bank holidays. What can those who have had their plans disrupted do?

Why are airports so busy?

The summer tourist season begins with the half-term holidays. Many passengers are heading abroad for the first time in two years due to the Covid epidemic. This week marks the first school holidays in England and Wales since the lifting of UK Covid travel restrictions. Consumers saved money when they couldn't holiday because of the lockdown.

Congestion on the roads has been caused by the great getaway. There were long lines at the port of Dover for travellers to cross the Channel. This will be a very busy week for passengers.

Why are some airports struggling to cope?

Many passengers are using vouchers or credit notes from trips that have been canceled.

Many of the recent problems can be traced to a lack of available workers and record job vacancies in the British economy.

The surge comes as the aviation industry is ramping up staff levels, after many workers were made redundant or changed jobs during the Pandemic.

Thousands of passengers missed flights at Manchester airport in the spring after waiting hours to pass through security. There were delays at check-in. More than 500 people are going through background checks and security training at the airport, but only 200 will join this month.

The current travel boom might be a summer bubble, as the airport is hiring 1,000 staff. Demand for flights could be affected by the cost of living crisis and rising energy prices. The industry is worried that a winter downturn could cause problems for airlines.

Which airlines have been most affected?

British Airways and easyJet were among the airlines that had to cancel flights due to high levels of staff absences.

In the last few days, easyJet has canceled more than 200 flights to and from Gatwick. There were several last-minute cancelations at airports over the weekend due to operational and supply chain issues.

My flight’s been cancelled – what are my rights?

You are still protected against many things that could go wrong. If your flight is canceled, you have the option of being re-routed to a different airline or being refunds. You can get to your destination on the same day.

You can claim compensation for canceled travel. If you choose to take a refund and not travel, or if your new departure and arrival are later than your original plan, how much will depend on the flight.

If you are re-routed by your original airline and the replacement flight arrives more than two hours later than you had booked, you are entitled to compensation.

If an airline cancels at the last minute and you have to buy a new flight with another carrier, you can claim the cost of the replacement ticket. If your original flight was more expensive, you would be better off requesting a full refund.

You are entitled to the money if airlines refuse your requests.

My flight is delayed – what will I get?

The length of your flight delay is important. You aren't entitled to anything if you have delays under two hours. For a short-haul flight under 1,500 km, you get food and drink, and phone calls, in the form of vouchers to use at the airport. You are also entitled to transportation.

The flight will take three hours between 1,500 km and 3,500 km, and four hours beyond that. After three hours, compensation starts. If the delay goes beyond five hours you can get a full refund if you don't travel, or if you do get the later flight, but you might be due compensation even if you do get the later flight.