PASSENGERS STRANDED BY VOLCANO HAVE EU RIGHTS (Fiona Hall MEP)

Fiona Hall MEP <info@fionahall.org.uk>

PASSENGERS STRANDED BY VOLCANO HAVE EU RIGHTS

April 20, 2010 12:14 PM

The millions of people left stranded by the Icelandic volcano may have the right to claim free accommodation and refreshments under EU Regulations, says Lib Dem MEP Fiona Hall .

A 2004 Regulation setting out the obligations of airlines to their passengers in situations such as these applies to all passengers of European registered airlines and flights from airports based in EU member states.

Fiona pointed out that this covers more people than expected.

"EU rules recognise that airlines have a duty to their passengers, even in extraordinary circumstances such as these.

"People shouldn't expect five-star, luxury accommodation, but EU rules do provide for some support for those stranded abroad."

Under EU law, when a person books a flight, they enter into a contract with the airline to get them from one destination to another. If a flight is cancelled, passengers have two options: they can take a refund and exit the contract, or ask to be scheduled onto another flight or travel by other means. When passengers choose the latter option, the airline has a duty to provide accommodation, transport to this accommodation, and meals and refreshments where necessary.