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Lufthansa cancels hundreds of flights: How travelers get their money back

2022-09-02T13:10:37.324Z


Lufthansa cancels hundreds of flights: How travelers get their money back Created: 09/02/2022, 15:05 By: Sandra Kathe Chaos at German airports: On Friday (September 2nd) Lufthansa will cancel almost all flights. Travelers whose flight is canceled have these rights.  Frankfurt – Lack of staff, strikes and the corona pandemic: there are many reasons for flight cancellations. But depending on why


Lufthansa cancels hundreds of flights: How travelers get their money back

Created: 09/02/2022, 15:05

By: Sandra Kathe

Chaos at German airports: On Friday (September 2nd) Lufthansa will cancel almost all flights.

Travelers whose flight is canceled have these rights. 

Frankfurt – Lack of staff, strikes and the corona pandemic: there are many reasons for flight cancellations.

But depending on why the flight is cancelled, travelers have different rights.

We give an overview.

On Friday (September 3rd), a pilots' strike almost completely paralyzed Lufthansa's flight operations.

Almost all flights on Friday were canceled.

130,000 passengers are affected.

The walkout should end on Saturday night, but there may still be individual flight cancellations or delays at the weekend.

A pilots' strike is currently paralyzing most of Lufthansa's air traffic.

© Peter Kneffel/dpa

Travel and chaos at airports: The passenger rights regulation regulates the details

After the corona pandemic, passenger numbers at Frankfurt Airport recovered and reached a record level in June.

But a massive shortage of staff as a result of the corona pandemic is affecting air traffic.

Not only is there a shortage of employees at airlines, boarding and disembarking passengers, security checks and baggage handling also take significantly longer.

The good news for travellers: according to consumer protection, a lack of staff, in contrast to storms, does not fall under the justification of "force majeure", so that, according to Hamburg consumer advocate Julia Rehberg, a refund is due in most cases.

Alternatively, travelers can also insist on an alternative connection, which the airline can provide not only through its own flights, but also, if possible, through train connections or flights from other providers, explains Rehberg in an interview with NDR.

Even in the event of a strike, passengers affected by a flight cancellation have, among other things, the right to replacement flights and, if necessary, compensation payments, according to the consumer advice center.

Rehberg explains that for a trip that takes place two weeks before the start of the trip, the statutory Air Passenger Rights Ordinance clearly defines what travelers can demand from the airline.

However, according to Rehberg, travelers whose planned vacation is a long time in the future also have good chances of alternative transport: "In our opinion as a consumer advice center, it cannot be the case that an airline concludes a contract with a customer and afterwards says: No, do that not me."

Flight canceled due to strike: Travelers have these rights

According to consumer advocate Rehberg, there is always the option to reclaim money for a canceled flight.

This also applies to strikes.

Passengers can cancel the flight and then get their money back.

The airline has seven days to do this.

If you still want to fly, you are entitled to a later flight.

If the strike lasts longer, however, there will be a backlog and travelers will have to be prepared for longer waiting times.

If a replacement flight is not possible until the following day or later, the airline must provide overnight accommodation and transfers to the hotel.

In the case of a package tour, the tour operator must arrange for alternative transport.

According to consumer advocates, package travelers can reduce the travel price from a delay of five hours.

Consumer protection for canceled flights: travelers usually get money back

However, if travelers demand follow-up costs from the airline, for example for a replacement flight they have booked themselves or an overnight stay in a hotel, it quickly becomes more complicated: In most cases, the airline has to reimburse them in principle – according to the assessment of consumer protection – but could also contest individual items .

Because: Passengers would then have an obligation to “keep the damage as low as possible”.

Rehberg explains in the NDR interview: "If, for example, a flight that goes on the same day and costs less than the follow-up costs that arise if I don't fly at all, then I would have to decide on the flight.

In addition, liability for consequential damage can be limited to grossly negligent behavior by means of general terms and conditions.” If a flight is canceled or delayed due to a strike, those affected can use the “Flugärger” app from the consumer advice center to calculate how much money they will get back.

What to do if your flight has been cancelled:

  • Gather evidence of expenses.

  • For package tours, contact the tour operator.

  • Request equivalent replacement transportation.

  • If the airline does not offer a replacement flight, you can book a new flight yourself and charge for the costs.

  • Anyone who no longer wants to travel can withdraw from the contract if the flight is canceled and ask the airline to reimburse the fare, writes the ADAC.

  • Source: ADAC

Problems at German airports: Get money back if there are delays

Due to the current situation, problematic situations are not only threatening customers whose flights have been cancelled.

Even people who are at the airport on time can miss their flight on particularly crowded days, for example because they did not get through the security check on time.

For this it is necessary to document that you arrived at the airport in good time, at least two and a half hours before the planned departure, and that long queues at check-in or security caused delays, for example with photos.

In such cases, it may be worth speaking to local staff and drawing attention to their situation to ensure that you can still get the plane on time.

According to the assessment of consumer protection in Lower Saxony, travelers are only entitled to compensation from the airport operator or even the state if this is also proven to be unsuccessful.

(ska/sne/AFP)

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2022-09-02

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