Jump in air complaints

The number of people complaining about air travel has increased substantially in recent months, it has been revealed.

Figures released by official passenger watchdog Air Transport Users Council (AUC) found that the number of complaints received had nearly trebled since last year.

There were 6,000 written complaints and 3,755 complaints made over the telephone in 2005/2006, with the majority related to cancellations and delays.

While two-thirds of all complaints related to disruption to flights through cancellation or delays, the next largest grievance was lost baggage.

However, carriers have claimed that the significant rise is down to new rules established by the European Union which now give customers greater access to complaints processes, improving the ability for people to make their grievances heard.

"We know from discussions with airlines that – for the most part – they have worked hard to ensure that passengers receive their entitlements under the new regulation," commented AUC chairman Tina Tietjen.

But she added: "There remain too many occasions when suffering delays and cancellations are often not getting their full entitlements."