Flight cancelled and new one is to different UK airport

SunshineRT

I could really do with some advice and this seemed like the right place to come. We booked flights from Ibiza to Birmingham at 20.00. Booked through Opodo. Flights with BA. We logged onto BA by chance last night and were greeted with a notice that that flight had been cancelled and they're proposing rebooking us on one on the morning of the same day at 10.30 To Manchester. This was the first we'd heard of it! The flight concerned is just over a fortnight away. We've already booked and paid for the airport parking in Birmingham which is the airport we're flying out of.
We can't really afford to book new flights now and have no flexibility due to work.
Do they have to provide onwards transport to Birmingham? Are we entitled to any compensation as we'll now miss nearly a full day there? We're there for my sister's wedding which is the day before. It's all a bit of a nightmare. BA are saying to talk to Opodo and Opodo are saying to talk to BA.

jpsartre

You need to talk to Opodo. Unfortunately for you they are one of the worst 3rd party sites around. Next time do your research before buying or just book from the airline.

SunshineRT

Thanks. The main issue I’m having is with the change of airport. That’s what I’m asking about.

jpsartre

EU regulations say that:


"When, in the case where a town, city or region is served by several airports, an operating air carrier offers a passenger a flight to an airport alternative to that for which the booking was made, the operating air carrier shall bear the cost of transferring the passenger from that alternative airport either to that for which the booking was made, or to another close-by destination agreed with the passenger."


This is something you need to sort directly with BA. In practice it's usually a matter of sending in receipts for you costs. But for now, the main priority should be to get rebooked

SunshineRT

Thank you for that information. It makes sense to me that BA should be responsible for that rather than Opodo as they are the flight provider, and they changed the destination. Thank you for your replies so far. Would it be at all possible for you to post the link to where those EU regulations can be found so that I can reference them in my next phonecall to them?
Thank you!

SunshineRT

I think I’ve found it- Article 8 point 3. Thank you! I will be quoting that!

Voyager2002

Before you call BA and Opodo, I suggest you have a look at what flights back from Ibiza will be operating. While BA have suggested one of their flights, they can put you on any flight: not necessarily a BA one. So if you see something convenient offered by another airline then that is the one to request.

jpsartre

Voyager2002 wrote: »

Before you call BA and Opodo, I suggest you have a look at what flights back from Ibiza will be operating. While BA have suggested one of their flights, they can put you on any flight: not necessarily a BA one. So if you see something convenient offered by another airline then that is the one to request.

The problem is that the OP will need Opodo to rebook them and they won't be able to rebook onto other carriers unless it's been pre-arranged with BA (who will probably also refuse if my experience is anything to go by). And judging from Opodo's reputation, I think the OP will find it difficult enough to get rebooked onto another BA option.

richardw

Btw BA made these changes a few months ago, it!!!8217;s interesting to note that the OP was not informed sooner.

photome

richardw wrote: »

Btw BA made these changes a few months ago, it!!!8217;s interesting to note that the OP was not informed sooner.

Guess it is Opodo living up to their reputation of not being a very good OTA

bagand96

BA will say they informed Opodo at the time they made the changes months, which in all likelihood they did.

I expect Opodo will try and claim they sent you an email, but you won't be the first person to have not been notified of significant schedule changes because of a shoddy online travel agent.