Advice Direct Scotland (ADS) said Brexit and staffing shortages in the aviation industry may cause disruptions as people head off on vacation.

They urged everyone to take out travel or medical insurance and know their rights if their flights are delayed or cancelled.

Do I need travel insurance when flying?

ADS encourages travellers to purchase insurance and remind people that Brexit has had an impact on health cover when staying in the EU.

Travel insurance can offer cover against delays in departure, cancelled or shortened trips, medical emergencies, and accidental damage. It can also help if a travel provider goes out of business.
 

What happens if my flight is cancelled or delayed?

According to the charity, legally, airlines must help passengers when their flights are delayed or cancelled, or if they cannot board a flight due to overbooking. This includes offering a refund or rerouting them to their destination.

After Brexit, the European Union’s EC261 regulation was transferred to British law and highlights that airlines must give passengers the option of rerouting to their destination at the earliest opportunity.

This includes the offer of a flight on an alternative airline if this is the most appropriate option.

For EU-regulated flights that are cancelled, and where “extraordinary circumstances” like severe weather or security risks do not apply, customers can ask for a refund or choose to take an alternative flight. Compensation can be claimed where less than 14 days’ notice was given for the cancellation.

The amount will vary but usually starts at €125. 

Customers facing delays of two hours or more for short-haul flights may be entitled to assistance including free meals and refreshments and free accommodation or hotel transfers if an overnight stay is required. 

Formedium-haull flights of two to four hours, the delay must be three hours or more to claim compensation, rising to four hours for long haul journeys.  

If the delay lasts longer than five hours, customers may be able to choose between being rerouted on a different flight or getting a refund.  

READ MORE: Glasgow passengers 'abandoned’ by easyJet in German airport for hours

What to do if my luggage is lost or damaged?

You may be entitled to make a claim against an airline if it goes missing or is damaged after check-in, ADS warns.

The airline will consider the age of any items, and they are unlikely to cover the cost of replacing an old item with a new one.

If a person has travelled with multiple airlines on their journey, it would normally be the last airline they used that they would make a claim to.

The maximum amount for any claim would be £1,000, however, it is rare that an airline would pay out this much.  
 

What are bank card fees like abroad?

Charging fees rise to 3% for most foreign transactions.

This applies when people use their debit card to withdraw cash or buy things while they are abroad.

Some banks might also add an extra charge, known as a ‘non-sterling purchase fee’, which are often flat fees of between £1 and £3 that are applied to every transaction.
 

When should I renew my passport for holiday?

If you have a UK passport, you might need to renew it earlier than planned.

The UK Government now recommends people should have at least six months left on their passport from the date of arrival in most EU countries, not including Ireland.

READ MORE: Holidaymakers hit out at Glasgow Passport Office delays

Colin Mathieson, spokesperson for Advice Direct Scotland, said: “Many Scots will not have travelled abroad for a number of years due to Covid restrictions.

“It’s important that people realise before they jet off on summer holidays that there may be several changes to what they are perhaps used to.

“Brexit has had an impact on the health cover we have when travelling within the European Union.

“People should ensure they have adequate protection in terms of travel insurance and access to healthcare in the unfortunate event that something goes wrong.

“Staffing issues in the aviation industry have also led to delays and cancellations at airports, so people should be aware of their rights around compensation and assistance if they are held up.

“Ensuring consumers are protected is more important than ever, which is why specialist advisers at consumeradvice.scot have put together some key information and guidance about areas that may impact on consumers this summer.”