It's really no fun when you're stuck in the wrong place or left hanging around in an airport because of flight delays and cancellations ' and what's more it can leave you out of pocket. However, a new set of regulations that came into force in 2005 to provide enhanced compensation rights for passengers. Read on to find out more.
The regulations apply to all flights (chartered, scheduled and budget) to and from European airports with European airlines (whether or not you are an EU resident). If the problem is deemed to be the airline's fault, or within the airline's control, it will be liable to pay compensation to its affected travellers.
The amount of compensation you can claim depends on various factors, including the extent of the inconvenience caused, the distance you are travelling and the price of your ticket, but on the whole you are entitled to cash compensation as well as refreshments, two phone calls or other methods of communication, accommodation if required, a refund on your ticket and free transport back to your point of departure ' and/or alternative transport to your intended destination.
Extreme weather conditions such as snow or fog are of course not within the airline's control, so there is no obligation in these cases to compensate passengers. And some airlines deem problems such as technical faults or strikes to be 'exceptional circumstances' beyond their control so compensation claims aren't always straightforward. However, some airlines will provide refreshments and accommodation and perhaps ticket refunds on a good will basis.
Flights under 1,500 kilometres (935 miles)
For short haul flights you're entitled to compensation if you're delayed for two hours or more. You'll get free food and drink and access to two free phone calls, faxes or emails. If you're left waiting for five hours or more, you can leave the airport and demand a refund as well as an alternative flight back to your starting point. You can also claim '250 cash compensation if your flight is cancelled, you have been overbooked or you have been delayed for two or more hours.
Flights between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometres (935 to 2,210 miles)
Your cash compensation entitlement for delays of up to three hours is '200 and for delays over three hours it is '400. Again, you'll be provided with food and drink, overnight accommodation and phone calls, emails or faxes. A ticket refund and alternative flight back to your starting point will be given in circumstances where you are delayed for over five hours or your flight has been cancelled or overbooked.
Flights more than 3,500 kilometres (2,210 miles)
Long haul flights come with a compensation entitlement of '600 for cancellations or overbookings or delays of four hours or more plus the same entitlement to refreshments, accommodation, communication and alternative transport.
You shouldn't have to do anything to obtain your compensation ' the airline should offer it to you. However, if you don't get anything, your first step should be to contact the airline. If you don't have any success dealing with the airline direct, get in touch with the Air Transport Users Council, the UK consumer body representing air passengers and their rights. It will look after your case on your behalf and may refer it to the Civil Aviation Authority if necessary, which has the power to prosecute airlines for non-compliance.
Biography:
Author: Benedict Rohan
Website: http://www.mortgagenation.co.uk Benedict Rohan works as a freelance finance writer. Commercial Mortgage, Homeowner Loans, Remortgages
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