Flights were suspended at Liverpool John Lennon Airport on Monday afternoon after a power failure hit its air traffic control operations. Many flights were delayed as engineers worked to fix the issues.

With that in mind, experts have reminded travellers of their rights in such situations. Compensation can be claimed in some instances when flights are delayed or cancelled - but Monday's issues are unlikely to qualify.

A spokesperson for Claims.co.uk said: “While booking a package holiday can slash the cost of going away, if your flight is cancelled you can risk having your whole holiday cancelled or rearranged. If you have booked a package holiday and your flights are cancelled, you have the rights to either claim a full refund, a reroute of the trip destination and potentially compensation from the airline.

“However, in these specific circumstances, delays and cancellations caused by air traffic control restrictions are considered an ‘extraordinary circumstance’ and therefore do not qualify for compensation. In cases of flight delays and flight cancellations due to an ‘extraordinary circumstance,’ the airline must provide you with additional services, depending on the length of your delay and waiting time.

"These additional services include free meals and refreshments, which you are entitled to when your flight is delayed by at least two hours. Passengers should also receive free overnight accommodation and a transfer to and from the airport if the flight is shifted to the next day.

“If a travel operator needs to cancel a package holiday for any reason, they are required to notify you as soon as possible and without undue delay. This is to ensure that you have enough time to help you make alternative arrangements or seek refunds.

"However, in many people's case due to the disruption, if you are at the airport when the flight is cancelled, it is advised that you contact your travel company straight away to talk through your options. If the delay lasts more than five hours, but is not actually cancelled, you should also be able to choose not to travel and get a full refund on your ticket. If your flight cannot be rearranged, meaning your whole holiday must be cancelled, then the travel company must offer an alternative holiday if possible, or a refund of the full package price, not just the flight part.”

What is the best option?

If you are wondering whether to claim a full refund or reschedule your holiday, this depends on personal circumstances. There are several factors you can consider making this decision:

Refund amount: If the travel operator is offering a full refund, this could be financially more appealing, especially if you are uncertain about your future travel plans.

Availability: Consider if the dates the travel operator offers you are a suitable alternative date for your original trip. If the new dates do not align with your schedule, rescheduling might not be a viable option.

Change fees : Check if the travel operator is waiving any change fees for rescheduling. Some operators might impose fees for changing travel dates, which could impact your decision.

Travel insurance : If you have travel insurance, review your policy to see if it covers cancellations or changes due to unforeseen circumstances. This might influence your decision to reschedule or opt for a refund.

A spokesperson for Claims.co.uk added: “If you received less than 14 days’ notice of the cancellation, you can claim compensation. This can be awarded in pounds or euros depending on where your flight was due to depart from.”

The awards are according to the following scale:

  • Short-haul flights (less than 1,500km, i.e. Manchester to Dublin) - £220 if arriving at final destination more than two hours after originally planned, reduced to £110 if arriving within two hours of schedule and announced with more than seven days' notice.
  • Medium-haul flights (1,500km to 3,500km i.e. Leeds to Tenerife South) - £350 if arriving at final destination more than three hours after originally planned, reduced to £175 if arriving within three hours of schedule and announced with more than seven days’ notice.
  • Long-haul flights (more than 3,500km, i.e. London Heathrow to New York JFK) - £520 if arriving at final destination more than four hours after originally planned, reduced to £260 if arriving within four hours of schedule.

Claims are usually made via your flight or holiday operator. The above applies in circumstances that the airline is considered liable for, such as technical issues with an aircraft. They will often have a dedicated page on their website to make a claim.