THOUSANDS OF BRITS KICKED OFF FLIGHTS

‘Greedy’ airlines rap

UP to 50,000 British passengers are being bumped off flights every year because greedy travel firms overbook them.

The Civil Aviation Authority blames the bitter price war between airlines for travellers being “denied boarding” at the last minute.

The shocking statistic was revealed after film emerged of a doctor being dragged off a United Airlines flight in Chicago by security staff because of overbooking.

Airlines overbook seats to compensate for the losses made when passengers cancel or fail to show up.

But it means paid-up Brits are being forced to abandon pre-booked journeys under the practice.

Success

The CAA said last night: “The main reasons airlines denied boarding were due to overbooking or having to bring in a smaller aircraft than planned to operate a flight.”

But travel writer Simon Calder believes overbooking can be successful when it is done properly.

He said: “The airlines make more money so they ® say they can keep fares down. The environment is better off because planes are flying fuller and passengers that desperately need to travel can book a seat on a flight even though it’s technically sold out.”

Under EU rules, airlines must pay immediate compensation if a traveller is forced off a flight.

Consumer group Which? says flyers are entitled to the same assistance and compensation as if their flight was cancelled. CAMPAIGN: Royal trio

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