What rights do I have if my flight is cancelled due to technical problems?
September 25, 2022 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Fred Kock
Dear lawyer specializing in travel law,
I have a question regarding my rights as a passenger when my flight is cancelled due to technical issues. My name is Tobias Weinert and I recently booked a flight from Frankfurt to Mallorca to start my long-awaited vacation. Unfortunately, shortly before the planned departure, I received notification that my flight was cancelled due to technical problems.
This unexpected situation has left me feeling very uncertain, and I am unsure of what rights I have in this case. I am wondering if the airline is obligated to offer me alternative transportation or if I am entitled to compensation. Furthermore, I am concerned about whether I will be able to take my vacation at all and if I may have to endure financial losses.
Therefore, I am seeking your expert assessment of my situation. What rights do I have as a passenger when my flight is cancelled due to technical issues? Are there specific laws or regulations that could assist me in this situation? What possible solutions are available to me to salvage my flight and vacation?
Thank you in advance for your assistance, and I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Tobias Weinert
Dear Mr. Weinert,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding your rights as a passenger when your flight is canceled due to technical issues. This situation can indeed be very frustrating and stressful, especially when you have been looking forward to a long-awaited vacation. It is important to know that passengers in such cases have certain rights and claims that can help them deal with the situation and be appropriately compensated.
If your flight has been canceled due to technical issues, the EU Regulation 261/2004 applies, which regulates the rights of air passengers. According to this regulation, the airline has the obligation to either offer you alternative transportation to your destination or refund you the full ticket price. Additionally, under certain circumstances, you may be entitled to financial compensation, which can vary depending on the flight distance and the length of the delay.
In your case, since your flight is from Frankfurt to Mallorca, it is a flight within the EU, which means that EU Regulation 261/2004 applies. If your flight has been canceled, the airline should offer you alternative transportation, either with another flight or another mode of transportation. If this is not possible and you decide not to fly, you are entitled to a refund of the ticket price.
Additionally, you may be entitled to financial compensation if the airline did not provide you with adequate notice or if the technical issues do not qualify as extraordinary circumstances. The amount of this compensation depends on the flight distance and can be up to €400 for flights within the EU.
To assert your rights as a passenger in this case, I recommend contacting the airline and explaining your situation. If the airline does not offer you a satisfactory solution or denies you compensation, you can contact a consumer advisory service or a specialized lawyer in travel law to enforce your claims.
I hope that my response was helpful to you and I am happy to assist if you have any further questions. I wish you success in saving your flight and your vacation.
Sincerely,
Fred Kock
Travel Law Attorney
