Travelmole
I think you may need to register to see what's on the end of the link so here's a copy:
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Insurer warns passengers against tax-free flights
Passengers flying via European hubs to avoid paying UK air passenger duty are being warned they may not be fully protected by their travel insurance.
Insurance provider Essential Travel said that passengers flying via the Continent would not be covered if they missed their connecting flight as a result of their flight to Europe being delayed.
Essential's Stuart Bensusan said: "In the majority of cases, holiday makers are unlikely to be covered under their travel insurance if they miss their long-haul flight as a result of their first, short-haul flight being delayed - normally it's the initial international journey that is covered.”
More passengers could be tempted to take long-haul flights from a European hub rather than direct from the UK to avoid the latest increase in air passenger duty, which was confirmed by the Treasury yesterday.
From April 2012, the tax will rise by roughly 8%, twice the rate of inflation.
By Linsey McNeill
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I'm surprised it has taken this long for the warning to be issued and I'm guessing it's because this insurer has had a claim. The travel supplements in the daily press happily explain how you can save money by "connecting" at a European hub but I don't think I've ever seen them explain the risks.
Seperate tickets (which is what you have to do to save the tax) means separate contracts and each contract requires check in at the departure point on time. Late flight from the UK means late arrival at the hub and if that means you miss your connection then the airline reaction can be "tough buy a new ticket".
Now, I realise some airlines will through check two tickets or turn a blind eye so sometimes you will get away with a missed connection but I believe the risk should be better explained.
I'm done!