Fog Affecting Multiple Airports In Europe. Can You Get Compensated?
Fog is causing delays and cancellations at European airports. Check with your airline if your flight is affected.
- 2019-03-22
- 8:42 AM GMT
Due to foggy weather, flights to and from Schiphol may be delayed or cancelled this morning. Please check https://t.co/OFYitn3IbU , our app or your airline for the latest status of your flight. pic.twitter.com/EnbDWB4nPn
— Schiphol (@Schiphol) March 22, 2019
Fog is covering Brussels, Amsterdam Schiphol, and Paris Orly airports. Bad visibility is one of the worst impediments to flights out there, so be on the lookout.
As always, air passengers affected by these delays have all the usual rights granted to them under Regulation (EC) 261/2004. For delays lasting more than two hours, the airline has to provide you with free meals and drinks. You should also be allowed to make two free calls, use email or send a free fax. If you have to wait for the flight for one or more nights, the carrier has to provide you with free accommodation at a hotel, including transport to/from the airport. In case they’re unable/unwilling to do this, save the receipts: all “rational” expenses (no VIP penthouses, caviar or limos) should be refunded afterward.
However, bad weather (in this case, fog) – both at the airport where the plane is taking off or landing – is one of the exceptional circumstances as defined by (EC) 261/2004 – which means you can’t claim disrupted flight compensation! Other rules still apply, so the airlines should still take care of you.
Bad weather is not too uncommon in this time of year. Usually, it’s due to snow, but storms, in general, are a menace, too.
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