BRITS have had their holiday plans this year thrown into doubt because of an airline banned by the European Union.
Holidaymakers with package trips to Turkey have been left in need of new flights after Southwind was prevented from travelling throughout Europe.
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The carrier is a Turkish airline, operating from Antalya, but it has been banned from flying in European airspace, along with an affiliated carrier Air Cairo, because of suspected links to Russia.
The airline was used by UK package holiday company Holiday Best and was due to fly Brits to both Antalya and Dalaman from nine UK airports this year.
However, the holiday company has been left looking for new flights for its passengers due to the sanctions.
The airline first launched in 2022 to provide flights to and from Russia after other Turkish services were scrapped.
Southwind was first banned from flying in and out of Finland on March 25, with the country stating that its ownership contradicts EU sanctions.
The rest of the EU’s members extended the ban three days later.
While the UK is no longer in the EU, the airline is not only prevented from flying to and from EU countries, but over and through them as well, meaning it cannot fly from the UK to Turkey as planned.
Holiday Best Chief Marketing Officer John Milburn said that affected passengers would be given new flights with other carriers.
He told Travel Gossip: “As a result of the ban from the EU, we have amended affected customers to alternative flights with our other partner airlines.”
Sun Online Travel has contacted Holiday Best for additional comment.
Southwind isn’t the only airline that’s had its operations cancelled in Europe this month.
Air Malta has been shut down, after first launching in 1973.
The closure of the Maltese carrier has come after it failed to make a profit, despite receiving financial aid from the government.
European Union regulations require companies to be “commercially viable” within 10 years if receiving money from the government, which Air Malta has failed to do.
Flight compensation rules
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of the “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
As a result, it closed down on March 30 – and has subsequently been replaced by KM Malta Airlines.
The website states: “KM Malta Airlines Ltd. is the new airline of the Maltese Islands and we will perform our first flight on the 31st of March 2024.
“We will adopt a key European destination approach, linking Malta with the main capital cities in Western Europe, with the primary European airport hubs, and connecting with partner airlines.”
Read more on the Scottish Sun
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