How many people have been affected?

Flight information suppliers OAG estimates that 400,000 people in the UK have been affected by today's disruption. Accountancy firm Grant Thornton has calculated that each hour's delay costs the UK economy £3.2 million.

Can I get a refund?

Most major airlines are offering refunds or the opportunity to rebook at a later date to passengers due to travel today. British Airways says that passengers due to travel today or tomorrow who do not wish to travel can either rebook up until December 1, 2006 or obtain a refund. Many passengers whose flights are cancelled can use the airline's Manage my booking on its website to change or refund the booking.

Virgin Atlantic offers the following advice: "Any passengers connecting to/from Virgin Atlantic flights to any of these services and travelling on 'through tickets' can re-book or cancel their flights and receive a refund. Please contact the point of sale. Passengers who have made separate bookings will not be entitled to a refund of their Virgin Atlantic flight should their connecting flight with another carrier be cancelled."

BMI says passengers due to fly today can either obtain a refund or re-book with no change fee for outbound travel on or before 24 August 2006 subject to availability in the same cabin as originally booked.

EasyJet is offering full refunds to passengers due to fly out today or the opportunity to rebook at a later date. It has not specified a deadline for rebooking.

Passengers flying on certain Ryanair flights, particularly those from Stansted, may obtain a full refund for unused flights or may rebook on flights up to August 24 free of charge. Air France passengers will be rebooked on the first available flight in the same class. If there are no seats available in the same class, passengers can rebook for travel within one month.

Will I be able to claim on my travel insurance?

Lucy Butler of the Association of British Insurers says: “We understand people planning to travel by air will be concerned about any possible delays or cancellations to their journey. If your journey is affected by recent events then in the first instance you should contact your tour operator or airline, who will be able to advise and inform you of any arrangements they are making. If you have travel insurance check the terms and conditions of your policy or contact your insurance provider. Some travel insurance policies may cover cancellation, missed departure or delays, but you should contact your insurance provider to check the precise details.”

David Ross of Norwich Union says that if your flight is delayed, the company’s travel policies would compensate you for that. “However, if your flight is cancelled by the airline or tour operator, then it is a matter between you and them. When you sign up for a holiday or flight, they agree to get you from A to B,” he says. “If you choose not to travel because you are concerned by today’s events, you cannot claim under your insurance,” he adds.

Insurance company Churchill says it will compensate passengers whose flights are delayed by more than 12 hours. A company spokeswoman says: “If a travel delay exceeds 12 hours, customers can opt to abandon their trip and can then make a claim for cancellation. Accommodation, travel and expenses costs that they have already paid or are under contract to pay as part of their trip will be covered. Any loss of personal possessions will be paid in line with our policy wording and we will cover valuables that have been checked in with baggage in the hold of the plane, subject to the usual police reports.” However, Churchill says it will not pay out to passengers who are disinclined to travel due to fear of terrorist attacks.

InsureandGo says it has reviewed its policy terms in the light of today's events and will cover baggage that passengers are forced to place in the hold. However, the firm adds: "There is no cover under the policy for cancellation and travel delay in regards to the current situation".

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