Travel

Lufthansa strike: 180,000 passengers scrambling amid cancelled flights – what can they do?


German airline Lufthansa has announced the cancellation of over 1,000 flights as its cabin crew personal are given the green-light to plough on with strike action. The workers will stand down from their positions on Thursday and Friday affecting the travel plans of an estimated 180,000 passengers. The worst of the chaos is expected to hit on Thursday, where 700 of the planned 3,000 flights will not depart; while 600 will be cancelled on Friday and 2,400 will take off. An industry expert has revealed they believe the airline could face costs of over £56million as a result.

However, a specialist Flight Delay Compensation Lawyer from law firm Bott and Co has predicted that the strike could cost the airline upwards of €66million or £56million.

The dispute comes in a row over pay between flight attendant union UFO and the airline.

UFO has said that the crew it’s representing demand “better working conditions.”

Alana Gomez, spokesperson for flight-comparison site www.jetcost.co.uk, said:

“Yet again, a dispute between an airline and its staff over pay will be resulting in passengers missing flights and having to either rearrange or cancel – 180,000 on this occasion.

“This is a huge number of people whose holidays, excursions or business trips will now be ruined over a seemingly avoidable situation.”

“Flights being affected by airlines struggling financially or going bust is totally understandable, but when they are cancelled because of disputes over pay, it seems as though there could be another way to resolve the situation.

“We’re not saying that airlines should instantly cave and give in to the pay requested, but surely a compromise can be met?

“Strikes and cancellations can damage a brand and lower traveller’s trust, making them consider other airlines when booking their next trip away.

“Passengers with cancelled flights are able to rebook for any date next week, those with domestic flights are able to take the train at no extra cost, and anyone with a delay of over three hours are entitled to a refund – but it’s just not good enough.”

What are travellers rights if their flight is cancelled due to strike action?

According to Coby Benson, a specialist Flight Delay Compensation Lawyer, regardless of the reason, if a flight is delayed more than three hours or cancelled passengers are entitled to a list of things.

Firstly, they should receive a refund of the fare paid or replacement travel under comparable transport conditions, hotel accommodation if stranded overnight, food and beverages, and two free telephone calls or emails in order to keep in touch with others.

Benson added: “With news of the strikes set to potentially affect thousands of passengers, it is likely that this is going to be extremely costly for Lufthansa. Cabin crew strikes are well within the airline’s control and therefore not considered to be an extraordinary circumstance under EU Regulation 261/2004.

Affected passengers may be entitled to claim compensation of up to €600 each, where their flights are cancelled with less than 14 days’ notice or delayed for over three hours.

It’s also worth noting that the regulation does not specify that re-routing has to be with the same air carrier. Therefore, passengers affected by a cancelled flight should be re-routed by the airline responsible at the earliest available opportunity on ANY airline, not just a Lufthansa plane.

“The cancelled flights will still be causing huge disruption, and it will be in the best interest of all parties involved to resolve this matter as soon as possible – and that’s before you factor in the prediction this strike is going to cost Lufthansa €66million, which is an even bigger problem for the airline.”



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