Missed flight due to security delays at airport

ninaroon

Is there any likelihood of compensation for having been delayed 10 hours at the airport because the departure gate closed before all passengers had cleared airport security which had massive queues. The airline admitted liability and gave us food vouchers because the plane was still on the tarmac when we got to departure but they would not let us through the gate. 30 passengers were affected by this. We were rescheduled onto a flight that left 10 hours later that day. As a result we missed the first day of a five day training course which we had already paid for. Could we qualify for compensation? Thanks

Caz3121

ninaroon wrote: »

Is there any likelihood of compensation for having been delayed 10 hours at the airport because the departure gate closed before all passengers had cleared airport security which had massive queues. The airline admitted liability and gave us food vouchers because the plane was still on the tarmac when we got to departure but they would not let us through the gate. 30 passengers were affected by this. We were rescheduled onto a flight that left 10 hours later that day. As a result we missed the first day of a five day training course which we had already paid for. Could we qualify for compensation? Thanks

I think you are on to a loser here. To qualify for compensation the delay must be caused by something fully within the airlines control. Airport security is not within their control

What do you mean the "airline admitted liability"? If you had presented yourself at the departure gate before the time the gate was due to close then you could claim for denied boarding compensation. If you arrived at the gate after that time then this does not apply even if the plane happens to be still there. (it is not as easy as a bus reopening the door to allow one more passenger to jump on, changing passenger numbers would require the load balancing figures to be redone and risk a slot miss)

It sounds like you were at the gate after closure time so were a no-show. The delay was not the airlines fault but that of delays at security (due to high number of passengers / lack of security staff?) but the airline gave a goodwill gesture and allowed you to change flights for free and gave you a voucher

Maybe write a complaint to the airport who are responsible for security. I assume you arrived at the airport the recommended 2-3 hours(?) before departure time and can show it took an excessive time to clear security