Q.  I was stuck in Spain for over a week when the volcanic ash grounded planes. I spent a lot of money on hotels during the extra week. Now my employer won’t pay me for the time off and I am seriously out of pocket. What are my rights?

04.05.10

Unfortunately your employer is not obliged to pay you for this unplanned time off work despite the unusual circumstances. You could ask your employer if you can use any remaining annual leave for the extra week although your employer is not obliged to grant this request.

Under EU regulations everyone who was grounded by the volcanic ash and who was flying within the EU or on an EU airline should be given the option of a refund or a re-booking. If you are travelling from outside Europe on an airline based outside the EU these regulations do not apply – so you should check with the airline. Your airline is not obliged to pay you compensation for the delay since it is regarded as being caused by an Act of God.

However if you are waiting for your airline to get you home on a rebooked flight, your airline does have to compensate you for the cost of food and accommodation during the wait (even though the flight cancellation and delay were the result of extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the airline). If you made your own way back home you are not entitled to be reimbursed for the journey or any food or accommodation costs you incurred.

You should submit a claim directly to the airline and include copies of all receipts for food and accommodation. If the airline does not respond within 10 working days you can make a complaint to the Commission for Aviation Regulation. You will find complaint forms and other information on the Commission’s website: www.aviationreg.ie .

Citizens Information: Buncrana 074 9363496; Carndonagh 074 9373741

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