Selina (32) takes a cold shower after booking on the online portal Ebookers: Ibiza simply – airline cancels return flight

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The queue in front of the security checkpoint at Zurich Airport reached as far as 200 meters into the terminal this Thursday. However, passengers need strong nerves not only shortly before departure.

Selina* (32) is planning a bathing holiday in the Balearic Islands in July. Booked in February through the online portal Ebookers. Cold shower afterwards: via email Denmark learns that its return flight with Flexflight has been cancelled.

“I wouldn’t mind spending an extra few days in Ibiza, but my boss probably wouldn’t be happy,” the woman from Zurich said. She reports to ebookers. What followed were the days of uncertainty. “I spent twenty long minutes on the English phone with a gentleman who finally recommended that I contact the airline.” In response, he wrote: “You should contact the travel agency from which you purchased the ticket.” Now Ebookers wants to address the issue. Selina: “But I was on the line for twenty minutes again.” At one point, the platform offers him a refund: around 115 francs. Not a good compromise, Selina thinks: “I have extra work and need to arrange a new ticket, which currently costs 230 francs! Who pays the difference?

It happens again and again that flights are canceled more or less quickly. If passengers later need to book a backup flight, higher costs can quickly result. Simon Sommer, passenger rights lawyer at canceled.ch: “Basically, if a flight is canceled up to 14 days before the flight, you have fewer rights than if the flight was canceled soon.” Specifically: The airline then owes the purchase price, but there is no difference for new ticket or separately booked hotel fares. After all, in this case you can insist on rebooking.

Airlines often offer an alternative flight with their own fleet – depending on the destination, the next flight is only the next day. Travel attorney Sommer: “Actually, the law requires airlines to book other airlines if they are unable to offer suitable alternatives for them. But the truth often looks different – they’re waving it.

To keep the holiday conversation intact, Sommer recommends: “Always book your flight directly with the airline, this avoids shifting responsibilities.” Also important: Book the outbound and return journey together so that both flights get a refund in case of cancellation. If you buy a package holiday from the same provider – flights and at least one night’s stay – you are also twice protected: by the EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation and the Package Travel Act.

* Name changed

Source :Blick