Wizzair plane late: Know if you are eligible or not for compensation
More than five million passengers traveling to or from European airports have not claimed compensation from airlines for delay or theft. A saving of at least 400 million euros for air carriers including Wizzair.
As a reminder, passengers whose flights are delayed by 3 hours or more can obtain 250 euros for a journey up to 1,500 km, 400 euros for a journey of more than 1,500 km and 600 euros for a journey of more than 3000 km. But how can the passenger calculate the delay time of his plane? This is the question that the Court of Justice of the European Union has just answered.
Know the opening time of the doors
It is not when the aircraft wheels touch the tarmac but when the flight attendants open the doors of the aircraft that is taken into account to calculate the delay. Indeed, it is only then that passengers can resume their usual activities. It should also be noted that the situation of passengers on a flight does not change substantially either when the wheels of the aircraft touch the runway or when the aircraft reaches its parking position.
A landmark decision
This decision was rendered by the Court of Justice after being seized by several passengers in the conflict who opposed it with several air operators. These took place on flights between several destinations in Europe which had delays of more than three hours on takeoff.
If, for example, the plane reached its parking position 3:03 am after takeoff. Travelers have the opportunity to assert their right to compensation since they arrived at their destination more than three hours late. The airlines dispute this fact based on the arrival time on the tarmac and not at the parking lot.
Following the decision of the European Court, the passengers in question can obtain € 250 compensation as provided for by the texts and this decree will set a precedent for the next flight delays.
Wizzair must now compensate passengers in the event of a strike
The European court said in October 2012 that air operators should compensate passengers who have been denied boarding following a strike or delayed flight. This judgment was rendered after the European court was seized by the Spanish and Finnish courts for two cases dating back to 2009 and 2006.
Thus, the CJEU considers that the occurrence of extraordinary circumstances such as a strike leading an air carrier to reorganize later flights does not justify a denied boarding, nor does it exempt it from its obligation to compensate passengers to whom the they were denied boarding on one of the subsequently chartered flights.
In addition, she adds: passengers on flights comprising successive journeys must be compensated for denied boarding when this is due to a delay attributable to the carrier for the first flight. ”
This new decision reinforces the rights of air passengers to increase their chances of obtaining compensation each time they are delayed by more than three hours.
Online solutions to defend your rights and keep your chances of receiving compensation
Using this form, you can send your files to experts in air passenger law. They are ready to take care of the procedures necessary for the resolution of your dispute with Wizzair, and if necessary, to go to the courts to recover your money (success of case).