How Flight Cancellations And Delays Can Affect Your Car Hire

*Updated for 2022*

Nobody likes cancelled or delayed flights. For starters, it gets your holiday off on the wrong foot and puts you in a bad mood when you are trying to relax. Unfortunately, these can often be completely unavoidable at times. In the event that you are facing a flight delay or cancellation, we outline the best process for you to follow, and what could happen if you don’t.

Recent flight cancellations 2022

We are aware of the complications created because of the recent flight cancellations due to aviation industry staff shortages. Over the jubilee weekend, 305 flights departing the UK were cancelled out of a total of 10,662 scheduled flights. We understand this is creating a lot of anxiety for summer holidays. As advised in this blog article, please contact us if you have an issue with your flights and we will do our best to make sure your car hire booking goes to plan.

Providing your flight number with your booking

We always ask for a flight number when making a booking from an airport, unless you have requested a walk-in collection. Providing this number helps us and the supplier track the flight if necessary.

Changes to your flight

As soon as you know that your flight has been cancelled or delayed, or if your flight number changes, contact us immediately. If you’re close to your travel dates, and are due to fly within 24 hours, we strongly advise that you call us. Depending on time zones and office hours, we may not pick up an email immediately. We provide 24/7 emergency telephone support so even if our office is shut, we can work to help accommodate your changes.

If you are no longer able to collect your hire car at the time you originally booked, do not assume that the vehicle will still be available to you when you do arrive. Suppliers will aim to keep the vehicle available for up to 24 hours, providing they are aware of your delay.

Expecting to collect the car later than 24 hours after you originally planned? Unfortunately, we may have to cancel the original booking and make a new one for your new arrival time. It may not be possible to honour the original price you booked the vehicle at as the supplier’s rate may have changed. This means that the new price for your booking may be higher or lower.

If we have to cancel your original booking, our cancellation policy will be in place.

Collecting past opening hours

Following your delay, if you are due to collect the vehicle from the supplier outside their planned office hours, you will have to pay the “out of hours surcharge”. This charge covers the time required for a representative to stay and complete the vehicle handover. If the supplier isn’t aware of your delay, they may not hang around to wait for you. It’s also possible that in quiet periods suppliers may close earlier if they regard you as a ‘no show’ and have no bookings after yours.

If the supplier is unable to offer an out of hours service, you will be advised to collect your hire car from them when they are next open, usually the next day. When you contact us to let us know of your delay, we will advise you if this is the case.

“No show”

If we nor the supplier are aware of your delay, don’t assume that the supplier will wait for you or hold the vehicle. If you don’t turn up at the planned time, they may regard you as a no-show. This means the vehicle may no longer be available to you and you won’t be given a refund. You will have to make a new booking. Should this be the case, contact us at the time and we can check the rates. Liaising with the supplier directly means you will have to pay local walk-in rates and any local extras.

If your flight cancellation or delay will affect your car hire

In the event of a flight delay or cancellation, always make us aware as soon as possible. We will work with the supplier to work to the best possible outcome for you.

Book your Next Car Rental In Cyprus Today

Renting a car in Cyprus is the easiest and best way to make the most of this Mediterranean sunshine filled gem. Whether you are looking to explore and soak up the culture or simply want to hit the beach and enjoy the sun, hiring a car will make your time in Cyprus easier and more stress-free than ever before.