NORTHERN Irish air travellers could be eligible for nearly £3 million in compensation for delays during the summer - but most will never claim it back according to a company which helps passengers retrieve their 'lost' cash.
New data from AirHelp shows that from June to September last year, 10,308 passengers at Belfast City and Belfast International Airports were eligible for a total of £2,886,240 in compensation - equating to £280 per person.
June, July and August are the peak months for unscheduled delays - last year on June 25 alone AirHelp reported the "exceptionally high" figure of 2,796 passengers held back at Belfast International Airport, while a further 1,920 were eligible for compensation over a month later on July 28.
For many individuals, compensation packages can amount to significant sums.
But as one Co Armagh woman told the Irish News, airlines don't pay up easily - or without a fight.
After being delayed at a Spanish airport with her husband and two children for an entire day she wrote to the airline involved, but was passed from airline officials to the British Civil Aviation Authority and then the Spanish equivalent over a two-year period before eventually receiving £1,500.
"Luckily, I knew my rights and I knew I was entitled to proper compensation, but it takes a lot of determination to keep going when obstacles are continually thrown up in front of you," she said.
"I think they just thought I would eventually go away, and I must admit was on the verge of giving up when the cheque arrived in the post."
This experience is not an isolated one according to Brian Whelan, AirHelp's country manager for UK and Ireland, who for a fee will do all the spade work for passengers who don't have the time or inclination to take on the airlines themselves.
"Under EU regulations, if your flight is delayed, cancelled or if you are denied boarding, you are entitled to refunds and compensation - but most people are unaware or unwilling to take it further," he said.
"Compensation ranges from £175 for shorter delays over shorter journeys up to £400 for longer delays over greater distances.
"These amounts are not to be sneezed at and our advice during the peak holiday period in July and August is to know what exactly you are entitled to and don't be fobbed off by a free cup of tea and a sandwich."
Mr Whelan, who also set up airtaxback.com for travellers who booked a flight and then missed it, says airlines are prone to use the 'catch-all' excuse of 'technical fault' when their planes don't take off on time.
"Airlines generally tend to hide behind this 'technical' fig leaf but unless there is something out of their control such as extremely bad weather or an industrial dispute, the airline is liable for the delay," he added.
"In one case I was involved with a plane was held up because the pilot was sick, but this was not accepted as staff rosters are the responsibility of the airline."
Established by Danish entrepreneurs - and frustrated air travellers - Nicolas Michaelsen, Henrik Zillmer and Greg Roodt just two years ago in the UK, AirHelp is now headquartered in New York.
"As more people find their holiday dream turning into an airport nightmare, they are turning to us for help," Mr Whelan said.
"It's little wonder when our research found that 50 per cent of all people who do pluck up the courage to complain are ignored by airlines.
"Out of the 50 per cent who do receive a reply, 98 per cent are rejected for reasons that are not legitimate. Over 120,000 claims have been processed in two years so I think the message is starting to get through."
