Spoiled Holiday due to denied boarding by easyJet

algin8

Hi Everyone

We were denied boarding on flight EZY7259 to Bodrum, Turkey on 25/4/11 at Liverpool's John Lennon airport by easyJet ground staff. The reason they quoted was insufficient documentation.

Since we hold Indian passport we enquired with the Turkish Immigration authorities in London if we needed a visa PRIOR to our travel to Turkey.
We were told that since we hold a valid UK visa (Indefinite Leave to Remain) on our Indian passports, we will be issued a tourist visa UPON ARRIVAL on Turkish border. (References from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Turkey and Consulate General of Turkey , London UK)

We had all our documentation in order (Travel insurance, easyJet confirmed Reservation/Bording passes/Travel Money/Accomodation confirmations/Return tickets etc) and reported well on time. The staff at gate 6 took incorrect advice on immigration and denied us boarding and ruined our 7 day holiday to Turkey. Between us, we paid some £550 for flights+some £550 for Hotel in Bodrum (both non refundable)

I complained with the easyJet authorities and got a reply yesterday that they are ready to compensate me for the total loss of flights/hotel (£1100). However me and my wife also took 3 days unpaid holidays for this break and have lost earnings as well, which easyJet refused to compensate.
I checked Article 7 (c) of EC 261/2004 document which says for long haul flights we can get EUR 600 each as compensation but says nothing about compensating loss of earnings.
We need help from moneysavers here as to what should we do now?? Accept what they are offering or go to court for claiming loss of earnings as well (chances of success???)
Any help will be much appreciated.

Cheers

dmg24

Had you gone on holiday, you would not have been paid for your time off, so I don't see the problem. I trust Easyjet did not lock you in a room for those three days?

joerugby

I think it's a reasonable offer

algin8

dmg24 wrote: »

Had you gone on holiday, you would not have been paid for your time off, so I don't see the problem. I trust Easyjet did not lock you in a room for those three days?

yes of course they didnot lock us in a room but all last minute deals are so expensive that we are left with no other option but to do our gardening!!

dmg24

algin8 wrote: »

yes of course they didnot lock us in a room but all last minute deals are so expensive that we are left with no other option but to do our gardening!!

So you used the time constructively, good good.

Easyjet have no liability to you for loss of earnings, and rightly so as you are not out of pocket.

giraffe69

Easyjet have no liability to you for loss of earnings, and rightly so as you are not out of pocket.

I can certainly understand why OP thinks this is not enough. His holiday plans were ruined after careful planning because of Easyjet incompetence/stupidity. If you take time off and cannot change that then you will have less holiday leave later on. You may well not be able to take a holiday. I don't think Easyjet are being overgenerous here. Whether you will get anywhere who knows but good luck.

Idiophreak

dmg24 wrote: »

So you used the time constructively, good good.

Easyjet have no liability to you for loss of earnings, and rightly so as you are not out of pocket.

..but if they had to take unpaid leave for this holiday, odds on they'll have to do the same if they want to rebook...

algin8

dmg24 wrote: »

Easyjet have no liability to you for loss of earnings, and rightly so as you are not out of pocket.

its not about who is out of pocket or not... its about rules airlines are governed with.. that why there are regulations like EC 261/2004
they aren't suppose to discriminate passengers financially while compensating (whether someone is skint or can plan their next holiday in the next 6 months!!)

dmg24

giraffe69 wrote: »

I can certainly understand why OP thinks this is not enough. His holiday plans were ruined after careful planning because of Easyjet incompetence/stupidity. If you take time off and cannot change that then you will have less holiday leave later on. You may well not be able to take a holiday. I don't think Easyjet are being overgenerous here. Whether you will get anywhere who knows but good luck.

All Easyjet need to do is put them back to the position they were in before the contract was formed, remembering that the contract was only for flights. They have done this by providing a refund. Applying the law strictly they did not even have to pay for the accom, I would guess that they have done this as it brings them up to the level of compensation for denied boarding.

It might not be ideal, but they have offered above and beyond what they needed to (unless you follow the denied boarding argument, in which case they have offered sufficient).

dmg24

algin8 wrote: »

its not about who is out of pocket or not... its about rules airlines are governed with.. that why there are regulations like EC 261/2004
they aren't suppose to discriminate passengers financially while compensating (whether someone is skint or can plan their next holiday in the next 6 months!!)

If you want to follow the denied boarding line, you will be entitled to 600 Euro, which equates to roughly £1100. Obviously if you do that I imagine they will withdraw their current offer, so you will be no better off. There is no provision for loss of earnings.

algin8

dmg24 wrote: »

If you want to follow the denied boarding line, you will be entitled to 600 Euro, which equates to roughly £1100. Obviously if you do that I imagine they will withdraw their current offer, so you will be no better off. There is no provision for loss of earnings.

I know its according to Articles 4 (c) and 7 (c) of EC 261/2004 but does it not consider this amount to be a 'compensation' ?? how about if someone bought their ticket for £700.. do they just get compensated with EUR 600 for their denied boarding?