Please advise on reclaiming compensation for cancelled flight!

Pavel_S

All,

This christmas I found myself in the middle of a fairly complex flight cancellation. Try to follow:

I was supposed to fly out on the 24th December from Birmingham to Brussels to connect to a flight to Cyprus. I was supposed to return on the 5th from Cyprus, again via Brussels.

The entire flight was a Brussels Airlines flight, but the leg between Brussels and Cyprus is actually operated by Cyprus Airways (and is a Cyprus Airways liveried flight).

Ignore the fact that my initial flight was moved from the 24th to the 25th due to the weather - this is irrelevant.

The whole thing was booked through Expedia.de (not directly through Brussels Airlines).

On the 23rd of December I received an email from Expedia saying that my returning flight (Cyprus to Brussels leg) has been changed from the 4th to the 5th of January.

There was no explanation offered. When I got to the airport to leave Birmingham, I asked about this and they said that's because the 4th of January flight was cancelled by Cyprus Airways due to a reschedule. At the ticket counter I was told that this happened on the 22nd of December (and Expedia let me know a day after).

Eventually I did rebook onto the 5th of January (free of charge) but when leaving Cyprus I had a whole hassle as they lost details of all my ticket, but this was all resolved. On the print-out from Cyprus Airways it clearly states that the original flight was CANCELLED.


Now here's where I'm struggling. As the flight was cancelled within the 14 day window, and is for a long distance flight (Larnaca to Brussels) I am entitled to €400 in theory. This was a reschedule cancellation, not due to any unforseen or extraordinary circumstance.


My problem is that Cyprus Airways are blaming it on Expedia.de for telling me so late (CA are claiming they cancelled it long before then).

Expedia.de are, quite rightly from their position, telling me to contact Brussels Airlines as the ticket was a Brussels Airline for all their flights.

Brussels Airlines, again potentially rightly from their position, tell me to contact Cyprus Airways as it was a CA operated flight, and CA cancelled/rescheduled it.


I'm under the impression it's Cyprus Airways that are liable, but I can't get ANYTHING out of them. Do I refer this to the National Enforcement Body in Cyprus? Or do I pursue Expedia.de's National Enforcement Body? Or Brussels?

Also, how am I able to contest as to when exactly they cancelled the flight (as it would then potentially pass the blame to Expedia if they did indeed cancel it before the 14 day window, which I don't think is the case)

I'm not massively bothered as the cancellation didn't really cost me anything except one day's extra holiday (probably worth £150 in wages) but it was a right inconvenience and if I am entitled to any compensation I'll keep fighting to get it as it doesn't cost me much more than some emails and stamps!

If anybody was able to follow this, could you please advise?

Thanks,
Pavel

richardw

Did the airline advise expedia.de more than 15 days before departure?

Pavel_S

When I asked at the checkout desk upon departure, the lady there said that it seemed that they cancelled it on the 22nd (expedia let me know on the 23rd), which would make it still fall into the 14 day window.

AFTER I raised the compensation claim, Cyprus Airways are claiming they cancelled it before the 14 day window. Not sure how to validate that!

richardw

Did the air carrier have your e mail adress?

Pavel_S

I have no idea. I wouldn't have thought so, certainly not Cyprus Airways who cancelled the flight.