Cancelled flights, airport strikes: what can travellers do?

From time to time, travelers are faced with flight cancellations and airport strikes. If these disruptions cause you to miss your flight, don't worry: there are ways to get help! We tell you all about your rights in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

It's a wonderful change of scenery when you go on vacation. However, those who take theplane can be faced with disruptions. Between airport strikes, cancelled flights, the evolution of the coronavirus epidemic depending on the country, and other problems, stress can mount up and your vacation plans could well fall through. With summer just around the corner, the European Consumer Centre (ECC) France offers a reminder of our rights in the event of a problem. So what recourse do you have if you're forced to miss your flight?

If the flight has been cancelled by the airline: normally you should have the choice between a refund of your ticket within 7 days, or an alternative flight to your destination. But you are also entitled to compensation. The amount of this is between €250 and €600, depending on the distance of the flight. Please note, however, that this compensation is due if you were notified of the cancellation of your flight less than two weeks before the departure date, as well as in the event of exceptional circumstances (unfavorable weather, strike, pandemic). Find out more here.

But be careful in the event of a strike! If the strike involves the company' s staff, the company must pay you compensation. On the other hand, ifyour flight is cancelled due to a strike by airport staff, the airline is not obliged to compensate you. On the other hand, if you are forced to cancel your flight for reasons of your own, reimbursement cannot be guaranteed unless your tickets are cancelable and refundable.

Finally, to whom should I address my complaints? If you have booked through a booking platform, they must keep you informed of thecancellation of your flight and of any recourse you may have, as well as forwarding your requests to the airline. However, they are not responsible for refunding your ticket or re-routing you. Finally, if your dispute with an airline based in theEuropean Union, Iceland or Norway comes to nothing, you can take advantage of the free assistance of CEC France's legal experts.

Cancelled flights, airport strikes: what can travellers do?

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