Know your flight rights

THERE are times when airlines get away with blue murder as far as passenger rights are concerned.

But the EU is now making a much greater effort to educate the travelling public and make them aware of entitlements on a wide range of issues.

For instance, people with disabilities and reduced mobility are protected from being discriminated against during reservation and boarding and are entitled to assistance at airports, on departure, arrival and in transit as well as on board aircraft.

Passengers are automatically entitled to the right to information, the right to reimbursement or re-routing if flights are cancelled or passengers are denied boarding, or the right to reimbursement if flights are delayed by five hours or more.

All travellers can view their entitlements at www.ec.europa.eu/passenger-rights or call direct at 00 800 67891011 (some mobile operators do not allow access to 00800 numbers or calls may be billed).

- WATERFORD should be one of the big must-visit destinations this year, particularly for those into activity breaks. Activity operators throughout the county have come together to promoted themselves under the brand “Wild Waterford”.

It brings together surf schools, adventure centres and incorporates Ireland’s first official Blokart training school. The alliance creates a one-stop shop for those who would like to get behind the wheel of a rally car, or to check out mountaineering or canoeing up the Blackwater.

The group won’t be the only ones seeking visitors though; there are other more sedate events such as the Waterford Festival of Food that takes place in April in Dungarvan, the Lismore Opera Festival, and the Immrama Travel Writing Festival.

Details of the newly launched operation are available on: www.wildwaterford.com.

- EXPLORE, the company that does what it says on the tin, enjoyed a very positive reaction during their visit to Holiday World in Dublin last week. One of the company’s products — Solo Tours — was particularly well received.

This product is new for 2011 and is proving popular with people who are not necessarily single but who might be looking for companionship on holidays that their partner might not be able to go on.

The cost of a single room is built into the price so customers don’t have to pay more than the quoted prices for their own space.

These tours focus on activity, interacting with the local people and socialising within the group. Destinations offered include Cuba, India (Kerala) and Thailand.

For more information, visit: www.explore.co.uk.