Am I entitled to compensation if my flight is cancelled?
February 23, 2022 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Anna Fuchs
Dear Lawyer,
My name is Erika Gerdes and I have a question regarding compensation for flight cancellations. Last week, my family and I were supposed to go on vacation, when shortly before departure we received the news that our flight was cancelled. As a result, we had to reorganize our entire trip, which not only led to significant time and organizational effort, but also to additional costs. Now I am wondering if as a passenger in such a case, I am entitled to compensation.
The current situation is as follows: Our flight was cancelled at short notice and we suffered both financial and time losses as a result. We had to book a new flight, organize additional accommodations, and also missed out on some planned activities during our vacation. This significantly dampened our holiday mood and caused us unnecessary stress.
My concern is that as a passenger in such a case, I will be left to cover the costs alone and receive no compensation. I have heard that there are regulations in place to protect passengers in case of flight cancellations, but I am unsure how these apply in my specific case.
Therefore, my question to you as an expert in civil law is: Am I entitled to compensation if my flight is cancelled? If so, what steps do I need to take to receive it? I would be very grateful for your support and advice on this matter.
Thank you in advance.
Sincerely,
Erika Gerdes
Dear Mrs. Gerdes,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding compensation for flight cancellations. As a lawyer specializing in civil law, I would be happy to assist you and provide you with all relevant information regarding your issue.
Generally, passengers whose flights have been canceled are entitled to compensation according to EU Regulation 261/2004. This regulation governs the rights of passengers in cases of cancellations, delays, and denied boarding. In the case of a flight cancellation, passengers are entitled to compensation unless the airline can prove that the cancellation was due to extraordinary circumstances that could not have been avoided even with reasonable measures. Extraordinary circumstances may include strikes, weather conditions, or security risks.
In your specific case, where your flight was canceled at short notice, you should generally be entitled to compensation as a passenger. The amount of compensation depends on the distance of the flight and the duration of the delay caused by the flight cancellation. The compensation can amount to up to 600 euros.
To receive your compensation, you should first contact the airline with whom you booked the flight. Request the compensation in writing and provide all relevant information about your flight and the costs incurred. If the airline does not respond to your demand or rejects the compensation, you can seek assistance from a consumer advisory service or a civil lawyer to enforce your rights.
It is important that you keep all receipts and documents related to your additional costs and the flight cancellation in order to substantiate your claim against the airline. If you have any further questions or need assistance in enforcing your rights, I am here to help.
I hope that this information has been helpful to you and wish you success in obtaining your compensation.
Sincerely,
Anna Fuchs, Lawyer
