Qatar Missed Connection Compensation

catmansam

Just wanting advice on whether to contact Qatar Airways re a missed connection that cost us 1/2 day out of our holiday.

We flew from Manchester to Male via Doha and when booked I raised the issue of the short transfer time (approx 1hr) at Doha for our onward connection. I was advised by the agent (H&J) that this connection time was OK as it was offered by the airline. I must say I was not 100% convinced, but after consulting on line (Trip Advisor etc) it seems that short transfer times are common as Doha.

The flight left Manchester on time and arrived over Doha slightly ahead of schedule. However due to the airport being busy, we were told the flight would be held in the air for approx 1/2 hour. The flight actually attempted to touch down approx 45 minutes later but the pilot aborted the landing due to 'strong winds'. We eventually landed an hour late. Despite this (and with only 20 minutes to our connections departure) we made it to the gate just as they were calling the flight. On presenting our boarding passes we were told that we had been removed from the flight and to go t customer services to arrange an alternative.

Customer services advised us that we had been removed from the flight due to the late arrival of our Manchester flight and that we were already booked on the next available flight which entailed a 7.5 hour wait in Doha. They would not help us rearrange or final connection (from Male to our resort) but did offer us complimentary access to the Lounge where we could get free drinks and snacks.

We had to use our own mobile phones to make alternative arrangements for collection at Male airport and in the end where lucky to arrive on the island some 8 hours after we should have.

My question is should we go for some compensation. Not sure if the EU rules apply in this case as the denied boarding was at Doha, although it was based on a flight originating in the EU.

Ich_2

Nope, rules only apply to original flight from the EU