AIRLINES ARE CHEATING PASSENGERS
One of the European Parliament’s leading transport members, Labour’s Brian Simpson has attacked airlines for deliberately flouting EU Regulations in regard to airline passenger rights.
Ever since 2005 airlines have been obligated to provide passengers with meals and refreshments in cases of delays and monetary compensation if they are ‘bumped’ off overbooked flights.
However, Mr. Simpson believes that passengers are unaware of their entitlements and airlines are happy to keep them in ignorance.
“I have had a number of incidents reported to me recently where passengers who were delayed over 2 hours were offered no refreshments or a meal. In one instance involving Jet2, the passengers concerned were travelling with young children and were delayed at Alicante for three and a half hours and were offered nothing. Frankly this is totally unacceptable and a dereliction of duty of care on behalf of the airlines” said Mr. Simpson.
Other incidents brought to Mr. Simpson’s attention include passengers on a First Airways flight from Kos, Greece to Cardiff, which was over 17 hours delayed and although refreshment vouchers were eventually given, the one cafe at the airport had no food, and was closed.
“I would like airline passengers to know exactly what their rights are when it comes to delay, cancellation and denied boarding. This can be done by the airlines sending out a leaflet containing this information, when they send out their tickets.”
If a flight including holiday and low cost flights are delayed more than two hours for flights of 1500 kms, or more than three hours for flights within the EU of more than 1500 kms, then passengers must be given a meal, refreshments and access to a telephone, fax or email. But this is not happening and Mr. Simpson believes airlines are cheating on their passengers and believes this practice is widespread.
