Cancelled or delayed flight? Here are your rights as a passenger for when there's a hitch in your travel plan.
Belgium is on strike again. Public and private sector workers are protesting the Federal Government's austerity measures, prompting a nationwide shutdown on Wednesday.
This includes Brussels Airport and Brussels South Charleroi Airport workers, resulting in a massive wave of flight cancellations. Here is what you need to know if you have been caught in the crosshairs.
Cancellations: The basics
According to the European Consumer Centre Belgium, passengers affected have two options: a replacement flight at no extra cost or a full refund.
If you opt for a replacement flight, you are entitled to meals and refreshments in the waiting period, two free-of-charge phone calls, e-mails or fax messages and an overnight hotel stay if necessary (including transport to the hotel).
On top of these measures, you may be entitled to compensation. However, the airline does not have to pay out if the cancellation is due to exceptional circumstances (including strikes).
There are some additional caveats. No compensation is possible if:
- You were informed about the cancellation at least two weeks before departure
- You were offered an alternative flight between two weeks and seven days before departure, and the flight departs maximum two hours earlier and arrives maximum four hours later than the original flight
- You were offered an alternative flight less than seven days before departure, and the flight departs maximum one hour earlier and arrives minimum two hours later than the original flight
Compensation amounts vary between €250 and €600 but may be halved if an alternative flight is provided. Airlines must still provide food and refreshments for the waiting period.
The departure hall of Brussels airport in Zaventem. Credit: Belga/ ERIC LALMAND
Delays: Changing rules
As it stands, passengers can apply for compensation if any flight is delayed by more than three hours.
However, EU legislation is changing. Soon, passengers will only be able to apply for compensation for short-haul flights if they are delayed for four hours or more. Passengers on long-haul flights will have to wait six hours before being eligible for compensation.
In addition, compensation for delayed long-haul flights will drop from €600 to €500, while the amount for short-haul flights will rise from €250 to €300.
This was agreed by EU transport ministers at a Summit in Luxembourg in June. Belgium endorsed the reforms but the Consumer rights organisation BEUC opposed the changes as they would deprive a large number of passengers of compensation.
On Tuesday, MEPs voted in favour of an EU-wide compensation and reimbursement form later as part of a host of measures aiming to improve consumer rights.
The draft laws also stipulate that airline staff strikes should be excluded from the unforeseen circumstances category.
In addition, reimbursement from intermediary booking platforms should take no longer than 14 days.
Next steps will depend on another vote in July.
