“I can’t go far at Zurich Airport with 20 Stutz”

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Blick reader Franz N.* (30) is angry at Austrian Airlines. The Austrian canceled its flight from Zurich to Vienna on 5 May due to a technical malfunction, and then rebooked it to Vienna via Munich.

So far, so good. But: for waiting more than four hours for the alternative flight to Munich, he and his partner received a meal voucher for only 20 francs. They automatically received the “iCoupon” on their mobile phones, which they can use at various business partners at Zurich Airport.

“I can’t go very far at Zurich Airport with 20 Stutz,” says Franz N.*. That’s right: with prices over 10 francs for some water and 5 francs for a sandwich, 20 francs isn’t much. But is he really entitled to more?

Unclear regulation in the regulation

Air passenger rights in the EU and Switzerland are set out in EU Regulation 261. This regulates the basic financial compensation claim, for example in the event of a cancellation or a long delay. But 1/17. The article only says “Passengers whose flights have been delayed for a certain period of time must be properly looked after”.

This leaves a lot of room for comment. And: you get 20 francs in Zurich for less than 20 euros in Vienna. How is it calculated?

Austrian Airlines did not respond to Blick’s request for the amount of the meal allowance. Swiss spokesperson sister company Swiss says: “The amount of the catering fee varies by airport. In Zurich, Swiss passengers receive a 20-franc voucher with a delay of four hours or more,” says the Swiss spokesperson. Michael Stiff. “We think it’s appropriate.”

Of course, airlines should pay attention to costs. 20 francs 3000 francs for 150 passengers standing. This means 5 to 10 passengers fly free.

In case of delay, assistance should always be provided

Franco Muff, 64, the Swiss travel industry ombudsman, thinks CHF 20 is suitable for a three to four hour delay, but adds: “If the delay lasts longer, it needs to be improved.” Therefore, the amount of the meal allowance should be determined by the duration of the delay – if the delay is not only three, but six hours or more, an additional 20 CHF can be paid.

Legislation remains unclear on the amount of money. Muff even knows of cases where airlines never paid for the meal because the delay was due to “extraordinary circumstances”. However, this is clearly against the law. “EU regulation 261 states that a maintenance service must always be paid in the event of a longer delay,” says Muff. If the airline is not responsible for the delay, it is only exempt from flat rate claims.

Refund possible

Philippe Strässle (63), Swiss boss of the flight rights portal Airhelp, explains: “The 20 Stutz is actually not great.” He also complains that what “appropriate” means is not clearly defined.

Airhelp will address such situations “only in connection with a refund request if the customer incurs additional costs due to delay”. In most cases, these are transportation costs, reimbursement of missed hotel nights or car rental costs, and associated meal costs. Strässle: “We usually get receipts from the restaurant and add these costs to other requests, we’re usually successful.”

* Name changed

Source :Blick