Middle East Airspace Diversions/Cancellations

[IrishPete]

The regulations cover any flight/journey originating in EU/UK.

By journey I mean a continuous connection of flights from EU/UK to destination without stopovers. Eg QF LHR-SIN-MEL and QR CDG-DOH-SYD are covered.

Apologies for the lack of correct terminology.

But UK media are reporting that the EU regulations won't be enforced.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

But UK media are reporting that the EU regulations won't be enforced.

Can you provide links to this? I can’t seem to bring it up here based in Australia, and it would be interesting to see the commentary and why they don’t think the UK regulations apply.

 

[jrfsp]

But UK media are reporting that the EU regulations won't be enforced.

Pax are only covered for flights out of EU/UK anyway so 50% of pax are not covered if they are inbound.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Pax are only covered for flights out of EU/UK anyway so 50% of pax are not covered if they are inbound.

That’s right, unless they are on an EU/UK carrier flying into the UK/Europe. And even then that’s only flights leaving from closed airports in the ME… and there are no flights to be re-routed on anyway. In at least some places hotels are being paid for by the respective government, which will help.

 

[IrishPete]

Can you provide links to this? I can’t seem to bring it up here based in Australia, and it would be interesting to see the commentary and why they don’t think the UK regulations apply.

This is one example of many articles. What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?

Hopefully you can access it?

I've seen other articles saying that the airlines aren't going to be expected to book you on other airlines, because of the extent of the disruption, but this article is a bit vague on that.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

This is one example of many articles. What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?

Hopefully you can access it?

I've seen other articles saying that the airlines aren't going to be expected to book you on other airlines, because of the extent of the disruption, but this article is a bit vague on that.

The article you have linked clearly outlines and confirms pax rights:

When flights are delayed or cancelled, UK and EU airlines, and other carriers when you are departing a UK or EU airport, have a duty to look after you.​

That includes providing meals and accommodation, if necessary, and getting you to your destination. The airline should organise putting you on an alternative flight, at no extra cost.​

It’s the link to the articles that say those rights are going to be exempted which will be interesting to look at.

 

[JessicaTam]

But UK media are reporting that the EU regulations won't be enforced.

This is one example of many articles. What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?

Hopefully you can access it?

I've seen other articles saying that the airlines aren't going to be expected to book you on other airlines, because of the extent of the disruption, but this article is a bit vague on that.

Based on that article, airlines still have a duty of care to provide accomodation/meals. They are not required to provide compensation as it is a situation out of their control. It looks like it is also accepted they can't rebook if no flights are available.

So the regs are still being followed insofar as they can be.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It looks like it is also accepted they can't rebook if no flights are available.

Indeed… the regs say the passenger must be re-routed at the earliest opportunity. That might be a day later.

It’s a good idea to search and confirm availability for alternative flights and routings before calling the airline. They’ll then be able to confirm your results and book.

 

[IrishPete]

Based on that article, airlines still have a duty of care to provide accomodation/meals. They are not required to provide compensation as it is a situation out of their control. It looks like it is also accepted they can't rebook if no flights are available.

So the regs are still being followed insofar as they can be.

Qatar Airways offered us nothing but rebooking on Qatar at a later date or a refund, for a flight scheduled to depart from Dublin (so in the EU). No doubt I could have fought them, if I could get through to them.

And to be honest, I don't want to punish Qatar for the deliberate actions of other people.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Qatar Airways offered us nothing but rebooking on Qatar at a later date or a refund, for a flight scheduled to depart from Dublin (so in the EU). No doubt I could have fought them, if I could get through to them.

And to be honest, I don't want to punish Qatar for the deliberate actions of other people.

Doing some reading on FlyerTalk someone has posted the official QR policy for this situation: https://www.qatarairways.com/tradep.../Passenger-Guidelines-Security-Situation.html

That includes re-routing on select airlines with whom QR has interline agreements… it includes Cathay, BA, Finnair, JAL.

The guidance doesn’t seem to cover EU/UK261, which would override that commercial policy and allow rebooking on any carrier to get back to Australia (some of the carrier mentioned may not have seats left at short notice)

That policy was only updated 5 March, so may take some time to filter through, But it also appears to cover further flights, not just those cancelled and subject to EU/UK261.

That being said… there are lots of reports of inconsistencies, and QR customer service not being as forthcoming as they should be. Or claiming that award seats aren’t eligible for rebooking.

I’d be putting that down to a mismatch in knowledge between local laws and policy (contract of carriage) vs consumer law rights (UK/EU261)

Other airlines don’t seem to be having the same issues.

 

[RooFlyer]

I wonder if the attack on the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan was a result of the local Iranians using some delegated fire authority and thinking ‘take that!’ In which case we should be grateful they didn’t try anything more adventurous, which would give those using the northern corridor at least some pause for thought. (Sure, aircraft height and so that, but it’s not a good look if missiles or drones are flying anywhere near a major air traffic route).

 

[JessicaTam]

Doing some reading on FlyerTalk someone has posted the official QR policy for this situation: https://www.qatarairways.com/tradep.../Passenger-Guidelines-Security-Situation.html

That includes re-routing on select airlines with whom QR has interline agreements… it includes Cathay, BA, Finnair, JAL.

The guidance doesn’t seem to cover EU/UK261, which would override that commercial policy and allow rebooking on any carrier to get back to Australia (some of the carrier mentioned may not have seats left at short notice)

That policy was only updated 5 March, so may take some time to filter through, But it also appears to cover further flights, not just those cancelled and subject to EU/UK261.

That being said… there are lots of reports of inconsistencies, and QR customer service not being as forthcoming as they should be. Or claiming that award seats aren’t eligible for rebooking.

I’d be putting that down to a mismatch in knowledge between local laws and policy (contract of carriage) vs consumer law rights (UK/EU261)

Other airlines don’t seem to be having the same issues.

QR do have a history of, how do I put it, recalcitrance when it comes to following UK/EU261.

 

[serfty]

Qatar Airways offered us nothing but rebooking on Qatar at a later date or a refund, for a flight scheduled to depart from Dublin (so in the EU). No doubt I could have fought them, if I could get through to them.

And to be honest, I don't want to punish Qatar for the deliberate actions of other people.

Thats up to you.

But, aside from you being rebooked, EU 261/2004 would put Qatar on the hook for the costsfor duty of care.

This includes accommodation, food and other aspect necessitated by your delay as long as necessary.

 

[Himeno]

Do airlines, other then those based in the impacted area, have any aircraft trapped there?

QR do have a history of, how do I put it, recalcitrance when it comes to following UK/EU261.

So does BA.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So i have found an incorrect article providing wrong advice - unfortunately from a rather trusted source What flexible airline refund policies really mean – and how to avoid common rebooking mistakes

CN says EU/UK261 does cover duty of care or rerouting due to extraordinary circumstances. Unfortunately this is a position written by someone - possibly with the help of AI - that simply doesn’t understand the law. They’ve only read the general exclusion without drilling down. The only part of EU/UK261 that doesn’t apply is for financial compensation. Duty of care and re-routing remains.

Where airlines may not need to cover accommodation is where you have taken advantage of a waiver and voluntarily decided to accept a flight at a later date. Then you have to pay your own accommodation. If hiwever you have accepted a re-routing as a direct result if your flight being cancelled, then you get hotel paid.

 

[jase05]

Was mentioned on media coverage that an AF repatriation flight to the UAE turned around due to missiles in the region