flight cancellations and delays
Consumer advocates: 3.6 million passengers are entitled to compensation
According to the EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation, those affected are entitled to financial compensation of between 250 and 600 euros.
© U. Stamm / Imago Images
Staff shortages and strikes have caused many problems in air traffic this summer. More than every third flight in Europe was delayed in the last few months. Those affected have the right to compensation.
In June, July and August, more than every third flight departing from Europe was delayed or canceled, according to a study by the consumer organization Airhelp. As a result, 3.6 million passengers are entitled to compensation.
According to Airhelp, a total of 68 million travelers were affected, 8.3 million of them departing from Germany. Flights of 3.7 million passengers across Europe were canceled. Most of the problems were with flights from the Czech Republic, Belgium and Hungary: More than half of all flights from there arrived with delays. In Germany, the number of flights was also above average, at 45 percent.
Compared to before the corona pandemic, delays and cancellations have increased noticeably. In 2019 there were still such problems with 30 percent of flights, now it was 36 percent. In the event of a delay of more than three hours or flight cancellations, air passengers are entitled to compensation. The prerequisite for this is that the airlines caused the problems themselves.
Right to claim for three years
According to Airhelp, 5.8 million passengers were affected by serious complications this summer. In exceptional circumstances such as storms or medical emergencies, the airlines are exempt from the obligation to compensate – but not in the case of strikes. Consumer advocates said that 3.6 of the 5.8 million passengers were entitled to compensation.
For 1.1 million of these passengers, the problems arose in Germany. “This means that in a Europe-wide comparison, the airlines at German airports in particular have to bear the responsibility for the numerous cancellations and delays,” explained Airhelp.
“We don’t expect things to get any better in the coming months, nor do we expect airlines to be willing to make the compensation payments,” said Julián Navas, legal expert at Airhelp. “On our website, affected passengers can check their entitlement free of charge before they approach the airlines directly or with our help.” Affected passengers can assert their claim for compensation retrospectively for up to three years.
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