EU regulation 261 - you've probably never heard of it until this week, now many air passengers find themselves meticulously studying it's sections and sub-sections for an answer to their unforeseen out of pocket expenses.
Regulation 261, reinterpreted by the European Court of Justice ruling in Sturgeon v Condor/Bck v Air France, basically requires EU carriers to cover stranded passenger's reasonable expenses for denied boarding, cancellations and delays.
Whilst passengers may breathe a sigh of relief at finally having made it home - some journeys having lasted days - the struggle is not over. Mike Carrivick, Chief Executive of the Board of Airline Representatives, which represents more than 90 airlines, has criticised the Regulation as "unfair" stating that it was never intended to cover cases such as the ash cloud. This comes as Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has today infuriated passengers further by refusing to reimburse travellers anything more than the price of their original air fare.*
Amid allegations that the Governments handling of the ash cloud were over cautious and much of the delay and consequent expense could have been avoided, many already ailing airlines are looking to the Government and its European counterparts to recoup millions in losses. Until any decision on this has been made passengers may find that, dependant on their airline, they are back in Britain but thousands of pounds worse off.
Only time will tell as to whether some airlines have a change of heart.
In the meantime, out of pocket passengers can contact Wake Smith & Tofields' Litigation team for futher advice and assistance on their legal position regarding their losses. Please call 0114 266 6660 or email [email protected].
*Ryanair have since confirmed that they will reimburse "reasonable receipted expenses"
