What is covered re: recent air traffic control chaos?

larryharvey

Was reading this page here:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2023/08/flight-delays-air-traffic-control-failure-your-rights/

I am helping my sister put in a claim against Easyjet.

The family were forced to reroute themselves on flights to Spain then onwards to UK four days later, from Switzerland. Easyjet were utterly useless. Cancelled all their flights because of the air traffic control mess and provided zero help or points of contact for the next 24 hours, including on their phones and online chat.

In the end they were forced to book the only flights available via the only routes available, at the only times available. Had to both get back to UK for work.

But regardless, still missed four days each because of this.
 
Given the zero duty of care, and on top of the food and accommodation they are claiming, can they claim for the alternative flights?

And things like taxis, credit card interest, etc?

Or anything else for that matter? All incidental costs.

MattMattMattUK

larryharvey said:

Was reading this page here:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2023/08/flight-delays-air-traffic-control-failure-your-rights/

I am helping my sister put in a claim against Easyjet.

The family were forced to reroute themselves on flights to Spain then onwards to UK four days later, from Switzerland. Easyjet were utterly useless. Cancelled all their flights because of the air traffic control mess and provided zero help or points of contact for the next 24 hours, including on their phones and online chat.

In the end they were forced to book the only flights available via the only routes available, at the only times available. Had to both get back to UK for work.

But regardless, still missed four days each because of this.
 
Given the zero duty of care, and on top of the food and accommodation they are claiming, can they claim for the alternative flights?

And things like taxis, credit card interest, etc?

Or anything else for that matter? All incidental costs.

The article you link to explains exactly what they are entitled to claim for, however.

larryharvey said:

on top of the food and accommodation they are claiming, can they claim for the alternative flights?

Provided they did not just choose the most expensive flights, as per the article, alternative flights (re-routing), but it has to be reasonable.

larryharvey said:

And things like taxis,

It depends on the nature of the taxies used, to and from the airport from the accommodation then yes, to other places to go out for meals then no.

larryharvey said:

credit card interest, etc?

No.

larryharvey said:

Or anything else for that matter?

Potentially cost of international calls and limited data if this was the only option, but not data to watch Netflix etc.

larryharvey said:

All incidental costs.

No, not all incidental costs.

larryharvey

extra car parking costs in the home airport?

eskbanker

larryharvey said:

extra car parking costs in the home airport?

No, not covered by the flight delay/cancellation regulations, so your only option for that would be travel insurance if it covers such costs.  The only costs reclaimable from the airline (beyond refund or alternative flight, plus compensation where applicable, for issues within the airline's control) are:

Right to care

1.Where reference is made to this Article, passengers shall be offered free of charge:

(a) meals and refreshments in a reasonable relation to the waiting time;

(b) hotel accommodation in cases

• where a stay of one or more nights becomes necessary, or

• where a stay additional to that intended by the passenger becomes necessary;

(c) transport between the airport and place of accommodation (hotel or other).

2.In addition, passengers shall be offered free of charge two telephone calls, telex or fax messages, or e-mails.

eskbanker

IvanOpinion said:

eskbanker said:

larryharvey said:

extra car parking costs in the home airport?

No, not covered by the flight delay/cancellation regulations, so your only option for that would be travel insurance if it covers such costs.  

I have successfully claimed additional parking charges, on more than one occasion, from the airlines.  
I would suggest including them and see if they get paid.

Fair enough - the fact remains that they aren't included within the airline's responsibilities under the regulations, but yes, no harm in asking.  In OP's scenario, the root cause of the cancellation was beyond the airline's control, which may affect their position - were yours claims where the airline was at fault?  Perhaps worth sharing more details of the airlines, the circumstances, and your tactics?