Flight Delay Claim

Semps

We were delayed over 4 hours on Corendon flight from Manchester to Crete, so assumed we would be able to claim the standard compensation. We weren't offered food/refreshments and were sat in the plane on the tarmac for a couple of hours before take off. On the flight, the captain took pains to explain that the delay was 'not the airline's fault' and claimed it was caused by lack of availability of baggage handlers at Manchester airport. I visited the Corendon website to begin our claim (Corendon not being on the options for the claims tool on here), only to be met with numerous messages saying the company will not accept claims for problems out of their control (exceptional circumstances) and mentioned staffing problems at airports. So I'm assuming the claim will be rejected. Is there a way to claim from the airport? Is a lack of staff resource really an "exceptional circumstance"? The baggage handling contract, I assume, sits with the airline, so is it not within their sphere of control? 

eskbanker

A very similar recent thread, perhaps relating to the same flight, answers those questions (no/no/yes respectively):

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6375173/flight-delay-compensation-caused-by-lack-of-airport-staff

Semps

Ah, thanks. I did try to search the forum, but didn't see that post about the same flight. Still a newbie to these forums. Thanks for the help

AshBurns

Prob the same flight as us. Corendon have agreed to pay (agreed 15th Sept) and I'm still waiting for the money! 

sedim

Has anyone received any money from Corendon?

AshBurns

I have been paid!  Almost 2 years after the delayed flight!
I did an official complaint via the CAA and initially they came back to me to say that Corendon hadn't responded in the time frame given and if I wanted to take it further then to contact a solicitor.  I didn't accept this and I said they have a duty to enforce regulation 261.
Within a couple of weeks the money was in our account.  No notification just arrived.
Keep going!  They have a duty to pay and you don't have to accept the vouchers offered.