Belgian CAA says I'm entitled to €600 compensation, but how to enforce it.

Chomeur

I have received this email from the Belgian CAA:

"Dear,

We are coming back to you in relation to your complaint against China Eastern Airlines.

In order to find an amicable settlement between you and the airline, we suggested that they pay you a monetary compensation of 600 EUR per passenger, as requested by Regulation 261/2004 and the reimbursement of expenses made during the waiting time.

Despite several reminders, we have never received an answer from the airline.   

Since our office does not possess the power to oblige airlines to pay a compensation, we are forced to close this case.

You can still take this matter before the competent national court. We advise you to contact a lawyer or legal advisor for further information.

Yours faithfully,

Pax Team"
How can I enforce this? China Eastern don't respond to me either. Start a small claim in Belgium? Or would you recommend the services of AirHelp or AirAdvisor?
Thanks

bagand96

If the airline are being unresponsive to you and then a national regulator than I think your hope of getting compensation is vanishingly small. 

Legal action would be the last resort. Are you UK based or Belgium based? I'm guessing the flight was from Belgium given your involvement with the Belgian authority. You'd need to find out if China Eastern had any legal presence in UK or Belgium to start legal action against them in either country.

Even if you succeeded in court and got a judgement, they could still ignore it. 

lisyloo

I went with flightright which is a no win no fee deal. Other companies are available.
they take a % but it’s a lot better than nothing,

doesn’t seem right that companies can just ignore the law.

my case is still ongoing as the airline are refusing to pay despite the CAA siding with me.
I’m not banking on it, but it’s no risk for me

eskbanker

Duplicate of earlier thread about this, to which OP didn't return:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6559849/how-do-i-enforce-a-ruling-that-i-should-get-compensation

Chomeur

eskbanker said:

Duplicate of earlier thread about this, to which OP didn't return:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6559849/how-do-i-enforce-a-ruling-that-i-should-get-compensation

OK, sorry, I did do a search, but it didn't turn up. The flight was from Brussels to the Far East and back to London. CE have an office in London so I have sent them an email before action to which I expect they won't respond, so I will then start a Small Claim here in the UK, which I believe the Montreal Convention allows me to do.

mdann52

Chomeur said:

eskbanker said:

Duplicate of earlier thread about this, to which OP didn't return:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6559849/how-do-i-enforce-a-ruling-that-i-should-get-compensation

OK, sorry, I did do a search, but it didn't turn up. The flight was from Brussels to the Far East and back to London. CE have an office in London so I have sent them an email before action to which I expect they won't respond, so I will then start a Small Claim here in the UK, which I believe the Montreal Convention allows me to do.

UK261 compensation isn't covered by the Montreal Convention jurisdiction rules, and they have departed from this. However, as a leg of the booking went through the UK, it should be ok