8 million passengers are eligible for compensation of up to 600 euros

Eight million passengers that were travelling to and from Europe during May this year, are eligible to ask for a reimbursement of up to 600 euros as compensation for the hassles experienced due to flight cancellations by airlines and strikes at airports in different parts of the continent.

The UK experienced the most disruptions for this period, with 30,450 flights either cancelled or ‘seriously’ delayed, followed by Germany with 24,169 disrupted, and Spain with 23,256.

By airline, the Swiss flag carrier, EasyJet, had the highest number of disrupted flights, a total of 26,088, with Turkish Airlines behind them with 22,490; the German airline Lufthansa with 17,021; and Wizz Air, which experienced a total of 8,810 disrupted flights.

London Gatwick was the most affected airport with 6,760 disrupted flights, demonstrating that the UK remains the most affected country.

According to the official website of the European Union, the EU air passenger rights, including the compensation, apply to the following:

- The passenger’s flight destination is within the EU and is operated by either an EU or non-EU airline.

- The (passenger’s) flight arrives in the EU from a third country and is operated by an EU flag carrier.

- The flight departs from the EU to a non-EU country, operated by either an EU or a non-EU airline.

- If passengers have not received benefits for flight issues that occurred during their journey under the relevant law of a non-EU country.

- EU means the 27 EU countries, including Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Réunion Island, Mayotte, Saint-Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands (but not the Faroe Islands).

- EU rules also apply to flights to and from Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland, hence the appropriateness of EasyJet flying under the Swiss flag.

“From January 1st, 2021, EU rules on air passenger rights do not apply to cases of denied boarding, cancellations, or delays to flights from the UK to the EU if your flight was operated by a UK carrier or another non-EU carrier, even if you booked your flight before this date,” the authority points out regarding British passengers.

However, these rules remain effective for passengers’ flights from the UK to the EU that were operated by an EU airline, unless they have already received compensation or benefits under UK law.

 To see if you qualify for compensation, visit the EU website here: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/passenger-rights/air/index_en.htm