More than 50,000 passengers a year are being bumped off British flights as airlines overbook instead of risking flying with empty seats, The Times reports.
The news comes following a video clip of a passenger being forcibly dragged off a United Airlines flight went global.
The man had been picked at random to be removed from the overbooked flight but when he refused, he was manhandled off the flight by security at Chicago’s O’Hare airport.
The draw was held after passengers refused to vacate the flight voluntarily to make room for United staff. Anyone taking up the offer would have been given $800, a hotel room and a flight the next day.
Now, the CAA has revealed that 50,330 British travellers, or 0.02% of all those flying in and out of the UK, were denied boarding in 2015. Under EU rules passengers in that position would be entitled to compensation of up to €600.
Experts believe the practice is becoming more prevalent as airlines face increasing competition and would rather run the risk of a penalty.
