So, your flight has been cancelled or delayed due to extraordinary circumstances. What does that mean and what should you do next?
When used correctly this usually means that the reason of the delay or cancellation has been something out of the airline's control, like the weather has gone really bad and it isn’t safe to fly anymore. Or, for example, something has paralyzed operations of the airport you are flying from, you got the idea.
What should normally follow afterwards is a message from the airline (in some form) explaining the situation and providing you with solutions or ideas as what to do next.
What does extraordinary mean in this case?
When it comes to flight delay compensation these are the exact words used by airlines globally to tell you that this time you aren’t entitled to compensation of any sort. Because it has not been the airlines fault that the delay or cancellation has occurred.
What you should know, though, is that not always they are speaking the truth.
Because, hey, do you know what “extraordinary circumstances” means anyway? Are aircraft’s technical problems considered something extraordinary, something that isn’t airline’s fault? While you may think it is, often it isn’t.
Since it’s something that can be avoided.
And so sometimes these words are used only to make it sound worse than it actually is. And to make you believe that you aren’t entitled to compensation in this case.
Another reason why it’s happening, is simply because Europe's Flight Compensation Regulation 261/2004 (EC 261), which is created to protect air passenger rights, does not specify what exactly falls under “extraordinary circumstances”.
This is the explanation it gives:
“As under the Montreal Convention, obligations on operating air carriers should be limited or excluded in cases where an event has been caused by extraordinary circumstances which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. Such circumstances may, in particular, occur in cases of political instability, meteorological conditions incompatible with the operation of the flight concerned, security risks, unexpected flight safety shortcomings and strikes that affect the operation of an operating air carrier” (Source: EU Regulation 261/04. Extraordinary circumstances.).
As a result there is a place for interpretation.
And as it happens in such situations everyone wants to use it their favor.
Unfortunately, but there is no one list list of these circumstances.
There is no list you could refer to when flight disruption happens and you are directly affected by it. A list that could work as a proof that you are right in this particula situation.
As of August 2018, these are some of the most popular reasons why flights get cancelled or delayed and when you can’t get compensation:
It depends.
Because there are different kind of staff strikes.
As this example with Air France staff strike in 2016 shows, not all strikes could be classed as extraordinary circumstances.
Remember about it when something similar happens to you.
You might be entitled to flight delay compensation.
Do not hesitate to search for help if you aren’t sure whether you are being told truth or not.
**Are you eligible for flight compensation or not? Aren't sure about it? Then register your flight with us. **