GERMAN
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The conflicts at Lufthansa continue: Just last Saturday morning, the Verdi strike among Lufthansa ground staff ended, and now the UFO union is calling on the cabin crew to stop work. From 4.00 a.m. to 23.00 p.m. there will be a strike on all departures from Frankfurt on Tuesday and all departures from Munich on Wednesday.
UFO is demanding 18.000 percent more salary for the 1.000 cabin employees and the approximately 15 Cityline workers with a contract term of 18 months. Nina Staub, passenger rights expert at AirHelp, explains what measures passengers can take if the flight cannot take place as planned due to a strike: “The collective bargaining negotiations at Lufthansa are extremely contentious. After 15 rounds, they still couldn't agree on the tariff offer. Air travelers in Germany are currently being overwhelmed by a wave of strikes and must expect massive problems in air traffic in the future. If a flight is canceled or the plane is delayed by more than three hours, travelers are entitled to compensation of up to 600 euros. Passengers are entitled to compensation in the event of announced or unannounced strikes by airline staff. During the upcoming strikes on Tuesday and Wednesday, the cabin crew will stop work - the strike is therefore the airline's responsibility.
In exceptional circumstances, the airline does not have to pay compensation. Strikes at the airlines themselves are normal economic measures and therefore do not belong to such circumstances. When the strike is announced, passengers should contact the airlines to find out whether their flight can take place as planned or not. As a rule, affected passengers are informed by email, app or by tour operators.”
Staub continues: “Passengers affected by flight cancellations are entitled to alternative transportation or a full refund of the flight price. As a rule, airlines offer rebooking to an alternative flight. Lufthansa announces that the affected flights are currently being rebooked. Domestic flights can optionally be rebooked for a train ticket. However, travelers cannot use a corresponding rail voucher on March 12th because there is also a nationwide strike by the train drivers' union GDL. The voucher must also be redeemed at least 24 hours before the train journey. If the airline does not take action on its own initiative or does not provide an appropriate alternative transport option, the affected passengers can find an alternative themselves and charge the airline the costs. Affected passengers should under no circumstances rebook buses, trains or other flights without consulting the airline, otherwise reimbursement of the costs cannot be guaranteed.”
In the event of a delay of more than five hours or a departure at a later date, the airline is obliged to refund the full ticket price. The operating airline must provide drinks and meals to passengers at the airport if the delay is more than two hours. In addition, it must be possible to make two telephone calls or send two emails. If necessary, the airlines must also provide accommodation and enable transport there. In any case, it is recommended to request this benefit from the airline. It is important to keep each receipt so that airlines can reimburse you for food, refreshments, replacement travel and accommodation.”
Passengers have these rights according to EC 261
Flight cancellations and delays can entitle you to compensation payments of up to 600 euros per passenger. The amount of the compensation payment is calculated based on the length of the flight route. The legal right to compensation depends on the actual length of delay at the destination and the reason for the canceled or delayed flight. Affected passengers can enforce their claim for compensation retroactively, up to three years after their flight date.
Extraordinary circumstances such as storms or medical emergencies can result in the operating airline being released from the obligation to compensate. Both announced and unannounced strikes are not included.
