Court Success Judgement against Small Planet Airlines

Tyzap

Scruffy1968 wrote: »

If anyone is still following this one, I have recently received settlement funds from Small Planet!!!! Took 3 years but now worth the wait!

Well done Scruffy1968:T

Please go into a little more detail if you can for others who are struggling with this airline.

Scruffy1968

So finally, after a 3 year battle, funds have been received for claims under EU261.


Painfully slow, but it all seems lined up so that SPA made as many difficulties as possible in the hope that we would just give up and go away.


At my own cost, I started the process soon after we got back from Gran Canaria, with delays out (14hrs, LGW) and return (22hrs). No real replies directly from the airline, so a registered post letter to Lithuania got a response along the lines of "nothing to do with us". Decided to take it to CAA and that was a painful process too, with no way to actually speak to anyone, just email and the hope of a reply weeks later! Did the same for the Spanish equivalent body too.


Long story short, eventually got positive opinions from both regulators. Then found I couldn't take it to Small Claims as SPA had removed all traces of offices in the UK. Went to European Consumer Centre for help (Government backed I think), but SPA ignored them too!


Got so fed up with this that I went to Bott & Co and they took it over from there. I understand the High Court ruled in favour and this led to the bailiffs attending Birmingham International for settlement!


Just received cash into accounts, so it was all worth it in the end. Bott & Co have also asked me to discuss the experience with their PR people as they think it could be covered in the media at some point.


Good Luck everyone, this is just the start hopefully.

natsplatnat

On the back of Scruffys post - I have handed my claim( for 7 people for 19 hours to Cyprus) to Bott & Co. Just got to the point where it is beyond my capabilities / available time!


I wonder if Scruffy could give me some idea of how long it took Botts to complete the case?

Thanks in advance, Nats

Scruffy1968

Hi Nats,

I started the Bott & Co process in August 2015. You may benefit from the ruling in my case as I think it may be the first one that came to an actual settlement!


The main thing for me is that I didn't want them to get away with it, so I kept going. You may want to give Bott & Co a reminder every now and again that you are there (I emailed for an update every few weeks/month or so), as I think they may just go at their own pace otherwise!

Hope this is what you were after - and good luck!

natsplatnat

Thanks Scruffy - somehow I didn't think it would be particularly swift!!


I have a diary reminder set monthly to be on Bott & Co's case - it is in their interest too after all!


thanks for the info and the good luck wishes!

natsplatnat

Just in case anyone is wondering.... "The necessary documents have been prepared and these have been sent to the court for issuing".

natsplatnat

Email from Botts this morning "the airline have agreed to settle your claim!"


Best news for a Monday morning! xxx

notahappybuuny

Can you still go down the solicitor route if you have already accepted a 'Goodwill' offer of payment (reduced payout obviously) from the Airline but they aren't paying up?

I don't really want to lose 25% of an already reduce payout.

111KAB

Speak with the solicitor you are thinking of using however I would imagine you/he can decline the offer and seek full recompense in respect of a 261/2004 claim.

natsplatnat

Email received this morning to say our compensation has been paid!!!