AIRLINE PASSENGER RIGHTS
Airlines have over many years been overbooking their flights and giving passengers little or no compensation when a flight is cancelled or delayed. I am alarmed at the increasing number of passengers being denied boarding onto aircraft (even though they had a valid ticket), coupled with a complete disregard by airlines to passenger needs in the event of cancellation or delay. Labour MEP’s campaigned for a European wide regulation to protect and compensate airline passengers. The result is the denied boarding regulations which should ensure that passengers and consumer rights are no longer valid by airlines.
Q Does this regulation cover all flights?
The regulation applies to all flights in and out of the European Union on all EU registered aircraft. This includes scheduled. Low cost, or charter flights (including holiday flights) and the airlines responsibility to abide by the regulations and pay any compensation.
Q What is covered by the regulation?
Cancellation or serious delay of your flights, plus delay caused by overbooking (known as denied boarding)
Q If my flight is cancelled, what can I claim?
If your flight is cancelled and that cancellation is the fault of the airline, you have the right to re-imbursement of your ticket or re-routing. If your re-routing means you are delayed for at least a day you are entitled to hotel accommodation, meals and transportation to and from the airport.
Q What if my flight is fully booked and I am denied boarding?
You are entitled to the following compensation from the airline:
- For flights less than 1500kms, 250 euros
- For flights of between 1500kms and 3500kms, 400 euros
- For flights above 3500kms, 600 euros
- Plus refreshments and a seat on the next available service
Q What if my flight is delayed?
Where a flight is delayed;
· 2 hours or more on a flight of less that 1500kms
· 3 hours or more on a flight within the EU of more than 1500kms
· 4 hours or more on all other flights, the airline must offer you meals and refreshments as well as access to telephones, fax or e-mail.
Q What if my flight is delayed for longer?
When a flight is delayed for 5 hours or more, you must be offered meals, refreshments and access to telephones, fax and e-mail, as well as either full re-imbursement of the full cost of the ticket for the part of the journey not made or a return flight to your point of departure. If your delay is more than a day, then you are also entitled to hotel accommodation.
Q Do vulnerable passengers get priority?
Yes, unaccompanied children, people travelling with young children and people with reduced mobility should get priority
Q If things go wrong, who do I contact?
Initially the airline staff at the airport and insist on your rights as laid out in this regulation. If you are still not satisfied, you an contact the Civil Aviation Authority, Consumer Protection Dept, CAA, 45/59 Kingsway, London, WC2B 6FE
