The summer of departures after two years of reduced mobility due to a pandemic found many air carriers unprepared which, precisely because of the lean months, reorganized themselves by cutting staff, anticipating retirements and blocking hiring. The cost of fuel has done the rest and now the entire sector is not ready to meet the demand.
These reasons push airlines to cancel flights across Europe and, furthermore, as the cuts have also affected ground staff, there are passengers who are unable to embark on time due of the long queues and waiting to carry out the ritual operations.
Covid
Why is it without a mask on the plane and on the train instead?
by Dario D’Elia
In Italy the situation is better compared to other European countries, also thanks to the 800 million euros allocated to support the aviation sector cornered by the pandemic.
The National Civil Aviation Authority (Enac) took the field for monitor the situation and protect travelers underlining that, among the top ten critical airports, not even an Italian one is included. The compensation paid out in the last few weeks amounted to 450 million euros, which means that the airlines operating in the area are not entirely free from cancellations.
It should also be noted that if an airline cancels a flight due to Covid, the traveler would be entitled to economic compensation ranging from 250 to 600 euros, as noted by the consumer protection association, Altroconsumo.
There are diverse app who take charge of initiate reimbursement procedureswe cite them in order of increasing cost to the consumer’s pocket.
Rimborsovoli.it
Italian application managed by a group of lawyers who assist travelers facing various difficulties, from canceled flights to ground handling and from overbooking to lost luggage. He does not take commissions by travelers, it is financed by the reimbursement of legal expenses that must be paid by the airline if the dispute is successfully concluded.
Sosvolo.com
Also in this case there are no costs for the traveler requesting a refund. Among the services it provides, in addition to those relating to compensation for canceled or delayed flights, there are also legal actions for damage to luggage. Managed by a group of Italian lawyers, it has a simple operation: the user fills in an online form, SosVolo checks if there are the necessary details to obtain compensation and makes every effort to ensure that the airlines pay the amount due to the applicant.
Salvaviaggio.com
It deals with obtaining compensation from airlines and also covers the areas of hotel reservations, cruises and travel injuries. Travel saver it has no cost to the customer final and provides a service to ask questions to industry experts. It is based in Rome and counts on a group of lawyers with experience in the field of compensation.
Flycare.eu
Website through which to evaluate the possibility that the traveler can obtain a refund. No cost to be paid by the customer who will receive, if the dispute ends to the disadvantage of the airline, full compensation on his current account and in the currency he wishes.
Airhelp.com
A international reality with a group of over 350 people who work for the traveler in exchange for the 25% of the refund obtained. In addition to compensation for canceled or delayed flights, AirHelp also offers services for denied boarding and for inconveniences caused by air strikes. It operates in 35 countries and boasts 16 million passengers supported from 2013 to date, in part assisted by four different bots that examine each individual case to determine if there are the necessary prerequisites for requesting compensation. It also offers the Plus service with a cost that varies from 19.99 to 49.99 euros per year per traveler and through which a greater number of services are provided, including visits and medical certificates useful for obtaining reimbursements.
Risarcimentovolo.it
Platform that acts in addition to the canonical support services even against tour operators and it is spent to claim the damage from a ruined holiday, in case of victory it retains 25% of the refunded amount for itself if there is no need to go to court, otherwise the costs for the customer reach 45%. If Compensation flight does not get reimbursement the traveler does not have to pay service.
Volo-in-ritardo.it
Rib site of the Yource group is based in breaking latest news and has a cost to the traveler only if the case is closed with success. Withholds 29% of the compensation but if it is necessary to take legal action the commission reaches 44%. It also provides a page to estimate the amount of compensation.
The European regulation
Passenger rights are governed by the EU regulation 261/2004 which underwent adjustments in 2020, designed in part to dictate the guidelines relating to compensation in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.
A set of norms and rules that are difficult to interpret for those who are not accustomed to the law, even of an international nature. Legal counsel may be necessary if the airline complicates or obstructs the compensation process.