Not allowed to travel on competing flights if flight is cancelled
Under EU rules, airlines must buy a ticket from a competing company if they cannot offer a passenger whose flight has been cancelled a new journey within a reasonable time.
A new report shows that many airlines are ignoring the rule and making passengers wait, in the worst case scenario up to a week, before they can travel.
There is really no doubt about what applies in the event of a cancelled flight.
The EU's air traffic rules, Regulation EU261, show that airlines have a major responsibility for passengers affected by a cancelled flight. The rules state that if airlines cancel a flight, for whatever reason, they must ensure that stranded passengers reach their final destination in similar conditions at the earliest possible time. If an airline cannot offer a seat to an affected passenger within a reasonable time, the airline must buy a seat from a competing company.
Forcing passengers to wait
The British Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has conducted a survey of the 30 largest airlines in the EU. It shows that many airlines are neglecting to rebook passengers with other companies. In many cases, passengers are instead forced to wait a long time to be rebooked with the company that canceled the flight. In the worst cases, travelers have been forced to wait up to a week, reports the British Independent.
The CAA considers that ”within a reasonable time” refers to a new journey on the same day as the cancelled flight would have departed. Many passengers who are not rebooked in time often buy their own ticket with a competing airline and then have to fight to get their money back from the company that cancelled the flight.
“We expect airlines to immediately seek to make the necessary adjustments,” said Paul Smith, group director of the CAA.
He demands that airlines comply with the rules by June 30, 2019.
Using the Flight Calculator at Konsument Europa Sverige, you can calculate what compensation you are entitled to.
You have the right to receive information about your rights directly at the airport when your flight is canceled.
Rights in the event of a cancelled flight
If your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to one of the following three options:
refund for the part of the ticket that you have not been able to use
rebooking your trip so that you arrive as soon as possible
rebooking the trip to another time that suits you
The airline must always offer you the choice between rebooking or cancelling your flight. This applies regardless of the reason for the cancellation and regardless of when you received the information that the flight was cancelled.
If you choose a refund, the airline is required to pay your ticket costs within 7 days. This must be done in cash, by electronic bank transfer, bank transfer or check. If you agree, the airline may refund the ticket by credit receipt or other means.
When your flight is cancelled, the airline must always inform you of your rights as an air passenger. If you are at the airport, the airline must hand out this information in writing on site.
If you are at the airport when you receive information that your flight has been cancelled, the airline must ensure that you are allowed to make two calls or send two messages free of charge. The airline must also offer you free food and drinks in proportion to the waiting time.
If you are at the airport or at your destination and are rebooked so that your flight departs the next day, the airline will be responsible for overnight hotel accommodation and transportation to and from the airport.
The airline must provide compensation to passengers affected by a cancelled flight. There are two types of compensation you can receive, compensation and damages.
When your flight is cancelled, you have the right to claim the following compensation from the airline:
250 euros for all flights of up to 1,500 kilometers
€400 for all intra-EU flights longer than 1,500 kilometres and for all other flights between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometres long
600 euros for all other flights covered by EU rules.
Source: aftonbladet.se
