Coronavirus: Am I entitled to compensation for a flight cancellation?

What are the passenger’s rights if the flight has been cancelled during the outbreak of the Covid 19 virus?

The flight might have been cancelled for a variety of reasons. They are generally divided into reasons under the responsibility of the airline and other reasons. If the airline is responsible for the cancellation, passengers may be entitled to compensation of up to EUR 600 and other benefits. However, if the reason does not lie with the airline, passengers are only entitled to a refund of the plane tickets. Coronavirus falls under another category, where the airline has no influence on the cancellation.

How to get a refund if the airline fails to respond?

The customer can get a refund of the plane ticket from the company where the ticket was purchased or from the bank card provider. However, if the ticket was purchased directly from the air carrier, it is necessary to contact them. Unfortunately, there are no specific laws that determine the responsiveness of the airline. Consequently, the cost refund process can be highly delayed. Nevertheless, by law, the airline must refund the purchase price.

Which passengers are entitled to the reimbursement of costs?

All passengers are entitled to the reimbursement of the plane ticket costs. Many airlines offer vouchers for future flights as an alternative, but each passenger under the Air Passenger Regulation is entitled to a refund. If the airline does not want to pay, it is in violation. Nevertheless, air passengers should be aware that by accepting an alternative reimbursement offer, they are no longer entitled to a refund.

The right to compensation

As has already been mentioned, Covid 19 is considered an exceptional circumstance, which means that passengers whose flights have been cancelled for this reason are not entitled to compensation.

If your flight is delayed or cancelled for another reason, you may be entitled to compensation for a cancelled or delayed flight of up to €600. Check your entitlement here.