Experiencing disruptions due to the strikes at Portuguese airports?
In the event of airline strikes, passengers are entitled to certain rights and assistance, as outlined by EU Regulation 261/2004. This regulation covers flight disruptions caused by strikes of the airline's own employees, which are considered part of normal operational risks.
If your flight is delayed by at least three hours or cancelled due to an airline employee strike, you can claim compensation, usually between €250 and €600 depending on the flight distance and delay length. In addition to compensation, passengers are also entitled to rebooking assistance, meals, refreshments, and accommodation if necessary.
However, it's important to note that strikes by third parties, such as air traffic control, airport security, or baggage handlers, are classified as extraordinary circumstances. In such cases, airlines are not liable for compensation, although they are still obligated to provide care and assistance.
Regarding lost baggage during strikes, it's crucial to understand that EU Regulation 261 primarily covers compensation and assistance for flight delays, cancellations, and denied boarding, not lost or delayed baggage. Baggage issues are generally covered under the Montreal Convention, an international agreement that governs airline liability for baggage loss or damage.
Travellers through the United Kingdom or European Union countries may be entitled to compensation of up to €1,920.00. It's essential to keep all travel-related documents, including boarding passes, delay notifications, and any expense receipts, to support a later claim if the disruption is not handled appropriately by the airline.
The carrier must prove it took all reasonable measures to avoid the disruption to avoid liability. Compensation amounts for losses caused by lost baggage vary by country and applicable law.
In times like these, knowing your air passenger rights is more important than ever. For instance, if you're affected by a strike and your baggage is lost, you can request financial compensation. AirAdvisor, an online tool, has recently launched a service to help travellers assess their claim eligibility and calculate the compensation amount based on flight, destination, and airline requirements.
If your flight is cancelled, go directly to your airline's counter or contact them online to request a rebooking or assistance. Remember, the liability for damages caused by delays in the carriage of passengers or baggage lies with the carrier.
In the case of Menzies, formerly Groundforce, causing flight delays and cancellations at Portuguese airports, affected passengers can seek compensation for their losses, including lost baggage.
Stay informed, stay prepared, and remember your rights as an air passenger during strikes.
[1] European Commission. (2021). Passenger rights: Delays, cancellations, denied boarding and other problems with your flight. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/travel/flights-eu/passenger-rights_en
[2] European Court of Justice. (2017). Case C-67/16. Flughafen Wien AG v Nikolaus Kühne. Retrieved from https://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?text=&docid=203783&pageIndex=0&doclang=EN&mode=lst&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=344733
[3] International Air Transport Association. (n.d.). Montreal Convention. Retrieved from https://www.iata.org/whatwedo/governance/legal/conventions/montreal-convention/
[4] European Commission. (2021). Passenger rights: Compensation for long delays and cancellations. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/travel/flights-eu/passenger-rights_en/my-rights/compensation-for-long-delays-and-cancellations_en
Should your flight encounter a three-hour delay or be cancelled due to an airline employee strike, you can claim compensation, typically ranging between €250 and €600, depending on the flight distance and delay length. Along with compensation, passengers are also entitled to rebooking assistance, meals, refreshments, and accommodation if necessary, as outlined by the EU Regulation 261/2004 on passenger rights. Furthermore, a lifestyle tool like AirAdvisor can help travellers determine their claim eligibility and calculate the compensation amount based on flight, destination, and airline requirements.
