“Judging from the experience of recent years, peak seasonal pressure on airlines and airports across Europe this summer could once again cause delays and cancellations ­– and inconvenience for travellers. Some may qualify for compensation from airlines, and some could be out of pocket unless they have chosen their travel insurance wisely,” he says.

“Airline delays are back in the public eye following the recent Jet2 court decision and the widely reported subsequent comments that it may unleash a flood of compensation claims. Travellers must remember that even when airlines pay compensation for delays, it does not necessarily cover all their losses.

“Delays can have serious knock-on effects – such as missed connections and late

arrival for a cruise or package holiday. A late return would lead to additional charges in an airport car park.”

Michael Pettifer has been in travel insurance for more than 30 years and is Managing Director of MPI Brokers, which offers some of the widest cover available to UK travellers – and even offers an optional extension of the travel delay section to cover additional perils, such as a volcanic eruption.

“The best advice for all travellers is to shop around for a policy with the most appropriate cover for the planned trip. Buying travel insurance on price alone has the potential to leave the stranded passenger in an even worse position if the policy provides inadequate cover. It is vital that people examine the policy conditions before buying travel insurance.”

If a delay or cancellation arises from extraordinary circumstances (force majeure) that could not have been avoided by all reasonable measures, the airline is not obliged to compensate passengers.

Passengers using airlines outside the EU are not protected by EU legislation.