What steps do I need to take if my airplane has been damaged?
January 22, 2023 | 45,00 EUR | answered by Ralf Schlittmaier
Dear travel lawyer,
My name is Claudia Schreiber and I recently booked a flight where my plane was damaged during the flight. I am concerned about my rights as a passenger and wonder what steps I should take to receive fair compensation.
The situation is as follows: I booked a flight from Hamburg to Mallorca. During the flight, I noticed that the plane made unusual noises during the landing approach and experienced a strong jolt upon touchdown on the runway. After we landed safely, I could see that the plane had significant damage to its exterior. I immediately informed the flight attendants, who documented the damages.
My concern now is that I do not know how to proceed. I wonder if I am entitled to compensation and how I can claim it. I also worry about whether I should report the damage to my luggage or personal belongings, as they may have been affected by the damage to the plane.
Can you please explain to me what steps I should take to receive fair compensation for the damage to the plane? Are there specific deadlines I need to be aware of? And what documents or evidence should I gather to support my claim?
Thank you in advance for your help and support.
Sincerely,
Claudia Schreiber
Dear Mrs. Schreiber,
Thank you for your inquiry and your trust in my expertise in the field of travel law. I am sorry to hear that you were confronted with a damaged aircraft during your flight to Mallorca. I understand your concerns and will now explain in detail what steps you should take to receive appropriate compensation.
First of all, it is important to know that passengers are entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004, also known as the Passenger Rights Regulation, if their flight is significantly delayed or cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances such as technical problems or aircraft damage. In your case, since the aircraft was damaged during the flight and you were affected by it, you are basically entitled to compensation.
To claim your compensation, you should first report the incident to the airline. You can do this either directly at the airport or later in writing via email or letter. Make sure to provide all relevant information such as flight number, date of travel, description of the incident, and if applicable, names of witnesses. It is also important to document the damage to your luggage or personal belongings, as these can also be part of your claim.
Furthermore, make sure to submit a written complaint to the airline within 7 days of the incident. In this complaint, summarize all the details of the incident again and clearly state that you are demanding appropriate compensation. The airline then has 30 days to respond to your complaint and inform you of their decision regarding your claim.
It is advisable to keep all relevant documents such as flight tickets, boarding pass, photos of the damage to the aircraft and luggage, as well as any correspondence with the airline. These can serve as evidence for your claim and help support your demand.
In summary, you should report the incident to the airline, submit a written complaint, collect all relevant documents, and act within the specified deadlines to receive appropriate compensation.
I hope this information is helpful to you and I am available if you have any further questions. Good luck in pursuing your claims!
Best regards,
Ralf Schlittmaier
Travel Law Attorney
