Imagine your flight is delayed, canceled, or you miss your connecting flight – and this happens in the middle of your vacation or on your way to an important business meeting. According to the EU Passenger Rights Regulation, you may be entitled to compensation in such cases. But since the COVID-19 crisis, it seems that enforcing these rights has become more challenging. What are the reasons for this, and what can you do to still assert your rights? In this post, you'll find out everything you need to know.
1. The EU Passenger Rights Regulation: Your Rights in Case of Flight Delays and Cancellations
- Legal Framework: The EU Passenger Rights Regulation guarantees you compensation in cases of delays, cancellations, and missed connecting flights, provided they were not announced at least 14 days in advance.
- Requirements for Compensation: You are entitled to compensation if your flight departs or arrives within the EU and is operated by an EU airline. The amount of compensation depends on the flight distance and the duration of the delay.
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2. The Decline in Payment Morale and Customer Service
- COVID-19 Crisis as a Trigger: The COVID-19 pandemic led to many skilled workers leaving the airlines, significantly impacting the standard of customer service.
- Use of AI and Outsourcing: To handle the large volume of customer inquiries, airlines increasingly rely on artificial intelligence and external service providers abroad. However, this often results in standardized responses and a lower willingness to settle disputes out of court.
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3. Enforcing Your Rights: The Challenges
- Communication Difficulties: Many passengers report a lack of responses or standardized rejections when they try to assert their rights. The payment morale of the airlines has significantly declined.
- Necessity of Legal Action: In 2023, around 75% of flight incidents had to be resolved through legal action, as out-of-court settlements were hardly possible. This has significantly increased the effort for passengers.
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Conclusion:
Enforcing passenger rights has become significantly more difficult since the COVID-19 crisis. Despite clear legal regulations, passengers increasingly face resistance from airlines when it comes to paying compensation. However, even if the path to justice has become more challenging, you should not give up your claims. Captain Frank is here to help you enforce your rights. Get your compensation with Captain Frank and check your entitlement to compensation for free today!
Note: Picture Matthew Smith from Unsplash