Hi Gweedledum I issued Small Claims proceedings against bmi baby. BMI wrote to me again saying they would stick to their line of defence - I replied: fill in your forms to defend this and, by the way, I will be seeking discovery of your maintenance records. That did the trick and offer came back by return - not the full amount but enough for me as I had included every cost possible in my claim, meals, interest, time etc.. Their settlement was, of course,"not acceptance of your claim in its entirety and did not imply liability for the sums lost." etc etc blah blah! My experience is that by using the Small Claims Procedure firms would rather settle because they cannot get legal costs refunded so their expensive lawyers at £150 per hour are somewhat reluctant to turn out for such small beer. Go for it.

Go to court. I have recently had the same problem with bmibaby. Cancelled flight due to "unplanned technical fault" (what a planned technical fault is I don't know!). I asked for details and they would not supply them. I claimed compenstaion for alternative flights and travel, food etc. plus €250 compensation. Still no joy. Eventually they gave more information about a "hairline crack in the tail spine". Thanks heavens for a plane spotters website who redirected me to a directive from Boeing in 2002 alerting airlines to this problem.So I issued a small claim against them saying I would go for discovery of their miantenance records- on the day before their deadline for responding I was contacted. I got all my costs plus compensation for "poor customer service" as long. This was not €250 but it was not worth going to court so I settled - but not out of pocket by any means. It seems these companies will fight all the way to the court room door and then back down as they are terrified of a court ruling against them or having to disclose records of maintenance, staffing etc. I had reservexd my rights via my travel insurance but refused to use it. I have written to my travel insurers saying taht they ought top be more aggressive about pursuing the se claims - albeit they are small they soon add up and up goes the cost of our travel insurance. Don't give up - good luck!