LESS than a third of the money owed in compensation to delayed air passengers is actually being claimed, according to research by money.co.uk.

The comparison website said its study showed only 30% of passengers affected by delays have made a claim for compensation.

A third of those surveyed didn’t know you could claim compensation and the same amount think they’ll get a maximum of £150. Overall, consumers believe they will receive an average of £176 in compensation.

But money.co.uk estimates that the 70% of travellers who do not claim could together be forfeiting as much as £112 million in compensation, or up to £460 each.

Of those that claimed, 73% went directly to the airline but 27% claimed via a claims management or legal company.

According to money.co.uk, going through a third party means passengers end up losing up to a third of any compensation paid out.

Hannah Maundrell, editor in chief of money.co.uk, said: “Airlines make it really easy to lodge a claim and you don’t even have call them – most allow you to do it online.

“As the process is generally so simple there’s no point paying a middle man; lodge the claim yourself and you should get to keep every penny.

“This isn’t about chasing compensation for minor inconveniences. If your travel plans have seriously been affected and the airline was at fault, you can and should ask for the compensation you’re entitled to.”

The study also found that 71% of those that went directly to the airline were successful.

Almost two thirds (64%) of these received payment from the airline but 7% had to escalate their claim to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).