Budapest Airport stated that passengers were promptly disembarked and left the aircraft within a few minutes.Continue reading
The summer season always brings an increase in air passenger rights issues, but this summer has also brought more consumer complaints than usual, reports Turizmus.com. According to a statement from the National Federation of Associations for Consumer Protection (FEOSZ), the numerous requests they have received in recent weeks show that chaos has developed at some European airports, affecting a wide range of passengers.
Passengers have reported delays of up to 24 hours, several flights being delayed and then cancelled, and flights leaving for the European Football Championship but not departing before the match kick-off time, the FEOSZ said. They added that this is coupled with a failure by airlines to provide passengers with adequate information.
The FEOSZ also calls on the airlines concerned to comply with the relevant EU regulations establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights. In this context, airlines are also reminded that they are in no way exempted from the obligation to provide appropriate information, i.e. to inform passengers of possible delays, cancellations and, where appropriate, rebooking arrangements.
Photo via Facebook/Ryanair
Furthermore, in the event of cancellations, in addition to information, they are obliged to provide rebooking, meals and refreshments, overnight accommodation and transfers, and free telephone calls.
In addition, depending on the distance, passengers will be entitled to compensation of EUR 250 for flights between 0-1,500 km, EUR 400 for flights between EU Member States over 1,500 km and 1,,500-3500 km flights between EU Member States and 3rd countries, and EUR 600 for flights between EU Member States and 3rd countries over 3,500 km, provided that the cancellation is not caused by extraordinary circumstances.
If a delay of 5 hours is expected, passengers can cancel the flight and ask for a refund, but they cannot rebook. If for any reason the flight is delayed for 3 hours or more on arrival in the destination country, they may also be entitled to compensation depending on the distances previously specified, unless the flight delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances.
WizzAir, the low-cost airline, spoke out on Friday about the delays. As they wrote in a statement, the weather and slot problems of the last few days have had a major impact on all European air traffic, including Wizz Air.
Photo via Facebook/Wizz Air
Wizz Air is well prepared for the summer and has done its utmost to ensure a smooth summer period, but it appears that air traffic control systems are experiencing significant problems during this priority period,”
they wrote. They added that “as an actor in the industry, we have a duty to raise our voices about the situation and to urge the authorities to resolve the air traffic control problems in a calming manner without delay.”
Via Turizmus.com, Featured image: Facebook/Budapest Airport