New data from CompareNI.com has shown that nearly a tenth of NI adults are now choosing to spend Christmas abroad.

The number one destination for those holidaying over Christmas was Europe. Worldwide travel and travel to the United States of America were also popular with those choosing to spend the festive period away from home.

The data also showed that 77% of those holidaying abroad at Christmas were adult only couples, suggesting that the festive season is perhaps a popular time for families without children to enjoy less busy resorts as kids stay home and wait for Santa.

Christmas is often a tricky time for travelling. With airports busier than usual, delays and cancellations can become common. In December last year, across the three main airports in Northern Ireland, 179 flights were cancelled.*

Commenting on the data, Ian Wilson, Managing Director at CompareNI.com said: “It’s interesting that nearly a tenth of adults in Northern Ireland are now choosing to spend Christmas abroad, perhaps due to our unpredictable festive weather. However, there’s nothing more frustrating than flight delays and cancellations.

“If you haven’t set off yet make sure to protect yourself with an appropriate travel insurance policy, purchased at the same time as the holiday as it can help with cancellations, delays and lost baggage.

“If you’re about to book your holiday, make sure it’s ATOL and ABTA protected which can help with replacement holidays and refunds.

“Booking with credit cards can also provide extra protection. If the trip is cancelled or the operator goes bust, the credit card company is normally liable as the retailer, and so may refund the payment.”

What you need to know if your flight gets delayed or cancelled:

Travellers legally have the right to request a full refund from the airline, or a replacement flight which will allow travellers to get to their final destination.

For any flights that have been called off part-way through, such as a connecting flight being cancelled, travellers can either fly on a replacement journey, or can fly back to the airport which they initially departed from.

Holidaymakers should also be aware that they can request help with travel costs – claiming compensation if the cancelled flight means a delay of arrival by two or more hours.

Travellers can also legally request compensation if a replacement flight means they have been delayed by two or more hours, and less than two weeks’ notice was given.

It’s important to ask for the refund and compensation as soon as possible – either at the airport, or claiming from the airline once travellers have landed back home.

Delayed flights of five or more hours also entitles all passengers to compensation, full refunds, or a replacement trip.

For journeys that have been set back over five hours, travellers do not have to travel. If this is the case, the airline must legally offer a full refund for the original flight, as well as for any onward/return flights from the airline which couldn’t be used, and a flight back to the original airport if part-way through a journey.

If passengers do decide to board the delayed flight, up to £250 in compensation can be claimed – however this is only if the airline is at fault for hold-ups (such as technical issues).

The airline will rarely give out compensation if a delay was caused due to reasons beyond their control – such as adverse weather conditions.

CompareNI.com can help users find savings on everything from travel insurance to niche items such as holiday home, motorhome and caravan insurance.

*https://www.caa.co.uk/Documents/Download/9077/31632962-d7b6-4df4-a5fd-6df78e65d88c/5584