NZFF

If you have had problems flying to/from Europe this week then read on..............

Managed to fly today, an interesting experience with Alitalia. Hard to believe that the country that makes Ferrari cars can have an airline that is so bad, but at least it flew today. There has been a lot of talk on the net and tv about what money passengers can claim from the airlines. If you have also had a flight delayed/cancelled this week, and you were either flying to or from the EU (not necessarily on a European airline), then the official message is that the airlines have to refund costs associated directly with the delays. The official EU statement is here;-

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction...;guiLanguage=en

I am saving receipts ready to claim back, looks like Easyjet will be getting a bill for about 400 euros (2 people).

smooth landings (when possible)

But Michael O Leary, of Ryanair, is already trying to get out of paying compensation:-

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-...ays-OLeary.html

If you don't like the rules of the game, then don't play the game. EU rules are EU rules, and he has to abide by them. Time that Ryanair was shaken up.

smooth landings.

It does seem a bit off that airlines should compensate seeing as it's not their fault? Surely this is where travel insurance comes in?

victor_alpha_charlie wrote:

QUOTE (victor_alpha_charlie @ Apr 22 2010, 01:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It does seem a bit off that airlines should compensate seeing as it's not their fault? Surely this is where travel insurance comes in?

Travel insurance state that natural disasters do not come under compensation.

Bugger for some!

Yeah but the airlines would have paid almost nothing for these flights that didn't go ahead correct? THey didn't use the fuel on the flights that didn't fly so isn't it more of a refund? (Or am I seeing this wrong)

Kelburn wrote:

QUOTE (Kelburn @ Apr 22 2010, 08:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah but the airlines would have paid almost nothing for these flights that didn't go ahead correct? THey didn't use the fuel on the flights that didn't fly so isn't it more of a refund? (Or am I seeing this wrong)

Thats true Kelburn, but they also have expensive assets which are not generating income - every hour on the ground is money lost. I think the argument with the EU rules is that airlines have to fork out for accomodation as well. This is hugely controvertial especially where weather is concerned, the danger being airlines may push safety limits to fly passenger srather than paying huge penalties for not flying.