Passengers may face battle for compensation

The disruption follows the seven days of strikes by British

Airways' cabin crew last month – an upheaval that sent travellers

scurrying to the small print of their insurance policies.

Rochelle Turner, head of research for Which? Holiday magazine, said: "This is yet more bad news for air passengers in a year that has already seen much disruption to flights.

"Affected passengers are being offered a choice of a full refund or transfer on to another flight. But, airlines don't have to compensate passengers for loss of any additional elements to holidays, such as accommodation and car hire.

"It may be possible to claim for these additional elements on your travel insurance, but passengers will need to check their individual policies."