When summer season is approaching book many a holiday abroad. But the flight is not always as it was supposed to. On the other hand can flygstrejker get in the way, but also other disturbances in the world can affect the journey.
Recently suffered 300.000 passengers when the pilots in the SAS went out in a strike. Nearly 4,000 flights were canceled. No matter if the flight is delayed or cancelled, passengers always have the right to be the service or refunded, according to Johanna Persson, counselor at the Swedish Consumer agency.
an extraordinary circumstance, which SAS claims that the strike is counted as. However, examined each case individually.
Since the strike started, consumer complaints (ARN) received 22 cases that applies to the airline. Given the short time since the strike ended, there are many cases mean Marcus Isgren, manager at ARN.
“Each individual case is unique, but we are, of course, on how the EU has interpreted the extraordinary circumstance, a strike count is not always extraordinary, but it may be the case,” he says.
to be an extraordinary circumstance is the next step in the chain to investigate if the airline has taken all reasonable measures to avoid the situation. For example, if SAS has done its best to book on the travelers.
The average processing time of a case is six months. But the time is affected, inter alia, of whether the parties skriftväxlar during the board’s time, which normally takes longer period of time.
– In these cases, there is rarely very much an exchange of letters, therefore, can take three to four months instead, ” says Marcus Isgren.
Marcus Isgren, chairman and managing director of allmänna reklamationsnämnden, ARN. Photo: Gabriel Liljevall
the right to a fixed compensation, which is regulated in the EU. The amounts situated between 200 and 600 euros and the sum is controlled by how long people had to wait on the flight, according to Consumer Europe. The compensation, however, does not apply in the event of extraordinary circumstances.
Travelers may be entitled to a fixed compensation for a more comprehensive travel insurance, or if you have signed a separate travel insurance policy, the amount is ranging from hundralappar to some tusenkronor, “says Gabriella Hallberg, a lawyer at the Consumers’ insurance bureau.
However, it is important travellers can prove how long they have had to wait. By saving the reservation number, receipts or boarding pass, it is easier.
Swedish travellers to go to a place. During the easter weekend were hit Sri Lanka of bombing, which made the foreign office to advise against travel to the country. When a recommendation not to proceed is made, the choice of the tour package, or a purchase of only air tickets, play a large role. The only purchase airline tickets may be forced to resolve the situation out of your own wallet.
– If you are already at the destination and something like this happens that makes you want to go home earlier, you arrange the return journey, it is thus not possible to set requirements on the airline in such a situation, ” says Johanna Persson, and adds that in the bigger conflicts are usually the flights be cancelled entirely.
Johanna Persson, counselor at the Swedish Consumer agency. Photo: Joel Samuelsson.
the Same thing applies to travelers who don’t have time to travel. The solution is if the person has cancellation insurance or insurance that covers, according to Johanna Persson. Usually covers the insurance of natural disasters or evacuation, such as hotel nights compensated.
“Actually, you have a stronger protection in the package travel, because a price reduction will be in the news if you do not get it you and the tour operator agreed,” says Johanna Persson.
at the packages of the package travel act, which changes the situation. Two requirements are to resetjänsterna shall have been purchased by one and the same organizer, and the trip should last for at least 24 hours. If the travel destination time zone in the event of major conflict or natural disaster, can the tour operator is forced to make a reduction of the price for the trip. But the organizer shall also have the opportunity to offer a suitable replacement arrangements. Similarly, the promoter may need to assist with transporting passengers.
– If you don’t have an agreement with an organizer it is more difficult to claim compensation or reimbursement, ” says Johanna Persson.
