Many fans are looking into potential compensation claims after the cancellation of flights taking Manchester United supporters to Porto for a Europa League match.
One group of approximately 180 supporters found themselves stranded after facing lengthy delays and ultimately missing the chance to witness the match at the Estadio do Dragao.
The game saw United take a 2-0 lead before going 3-2 down, with England defender Harry Maguire nodding in a dramatic equaliser for the Red Devils in injury time to see the game end 3-3.
Under EU regulations, passengers whose flights are cancelled or significantly delayed may be entitled to compensation. For this incident, affected fans could be owed up to £220 each. Another group of supporters also faced extended delays and these also come under the same rules.
Manchester-based tech platform Flight Patrol says it can help the United fans that lost out. The company deals with flight disruptions where there has been a delay or cancellation, denied boarding or missed connection issue.
As well as recent flights such as these, it can assist affected passengers who have suffered flight disruptions as far back as six years.
Described as a 60-second solution, those affected can click on pay.flightpatrol.com and submit their details. They only charge when they get the money back from the airlines, with nothing paid upfront. Their charges are fixed at 25% and £25 admin charge per passenger (excl vat) before litigation.
Fans impacted by the flight disruptions are encouraged to check their eligibility for compensation. It’s advisable to gather all relevant travel documentation, including booking confirmations and receipts, to streamline the claims process. Supporters can contact the appropriate channels for guidance on how to proceed with their claims.
Manchester United has publicly apologised for the inconvenience, recognising the disappointment felt by the affected supporters. In their statement, the club expressed regret over the disruption and confirmed that all impacted fans would receive full refunds for their travel costs.
Additionally, as a gesture of goodwill, the club is offering complimentary tickets for a future home match against Norwegian team Bodø/Glimt.
The United team also faced its own travel difficulties to Portugal. Bad weather resulted in delays that hampered the players’ preparations for the match.
Affected fans are encouraged to stay updated on communications from both the club and their travel partner, Sports Breaks, to ensure they have the latest information regarding compensation and any additional support available to them.
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