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Around 50.000 passengers are affected by the 400 canceled flights - rights according to EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation 261/2004.
EU Regulation 261/2004 provides for compensation payments of €250, €400 or €600 in the event of flight cancellations, depending on the length of the flight, if the flight was canceled at short notice less than 14 days before departure. Only if there are exceptional circumstances, such as bad weather or an airport security closure, the airline does not have to make a payment to affected passengers.
The European Court of Justice has already not classified strikes by airline staff as exceptional circumstances. Affected passengers may be entitled to compensation.
Right to alternative transport
Even if flights are canceled due to a strike by the on-board staff at Austrian Airlines, passengers have the right to transportation. If you are affected by a flight cancellation, the airline must offer you equivalent replacement transport as quickly as possible. This transport can also take place by train or bus. Not every replacement transport is reasonable. As an alternative to replacement transport, a refund of the flight ticket can be requested.
Book a new ticket yourself?
If the alternative transport offered by the airline is unreasonable, request another offer within a short period of time and announce that you will organize alternative transport yourself. You are not bound to AUA or the Lufthansa Group for replacement flights. After the deadline has passed, book a replacement flight yourself and invoice Austrian Airlines.
Get ticket costs back
If you do not want or cannot use the alternative transport offered, you have the right to a refund of the entire ticket cost. The ticket price must be paid back within 7 days without deductions. The traveler can therefore choose between the alternative transport offered or the reimbursement of the ticket costs paid. Both cannot be required.
care service
If there is a delay of two hours or more, you are entitled to so-called care or support services from the airline (for flight distances of up to 1.500 km). For longer flights only with waiting times of three or four hours.
The airline also pays for an overnight stay in a hotel until the new return flight: Anyone who is stuck in their holiday destination due to the short-term cancellation can claim care benefits. If an overnight stay is necessary, this is also included in the care service. Food and drinks must also be provided until the new departure. You usually get vouchers from the airline.
Tip: If you do not receive vouchers for food, drinks or necessary hotel accommodation from the airline, you should keep all receipts carefully. These expenses must be reimbursed by the airline.
