Cancelled flight from Hamburg Airport

Vegas76

I've had a couple of flights from hamburg to London cancelled recently. EasyJet has refused my Eu261 claim.

"To further explain what happened on the day; air traffic control restrictions substantially regulated the air space which resulted in long delays to flights as aircraft waited for air space ‘slots’ to operate, sometimes for several hours."

Any thoughts on what I can reasonably do? I know hamburg does have a night curfew on flights... But if the flight was running late anyway then presumably compensation should be due? 

Westin

Vegas76 said:

I've had a couple of flights from hamburg to London cancelled recently. EasyJet has refused my Eu261 claim.

"To further explain what happened on the day; air traffic control restrictions substantially regulated the air space which resulted in long delays to flights as aircraft waited for air space ‘slots’ to operate, sometimes for several hours."

Any thoughts on what I can reasonably do? I know hamburg does have a night curfew on flights... But if the flight was running late anyway then presumably compensation should be due? 

No, not if the delay was an ATC issue or something outside of the airlines control.

 

Vegas76

How about if the delay (which might have been within the airlines control) was such that the flight couldn't land due to ATC restrictions? 

eskbanker

Vegas76 said:

How about if the delay (which might have been within the airlines control) was such that the flight couldn't land due to ATC restrictions? 

Unfortunately the dice are loaded in the airline's favour, so if they've already rejected your compensation claim on the basis that it was due to ATC restrictions, you'll need something less speculative if you want to take things any further and challenge their position via ADR or court - what do you believe actually caused the delay and what evidence can you cite?

CKhalvashi

Vegas76 said:

How about if the delay (which might have been within the airlines control) was such that the flight couldn't land due to ATC restrictions? 

If the airport is closed, it's not going to be possible to land there. OH had this issue the other week where it was decided to land at a different airport, bus return passengers to that airport to come back and bus the original passengers to the airport they should have gone to.

The aircraft was late due to an earlier ATC delay (with a 'hot spare' larger aircraft not being available) and delayed a little further while the issues of diversion were sorted. I am aware that the airline has rejected any compensation claim on the basis of the above in overall circumstances that would seem quite similar to here, but Eskbanker highlights your options above.