easyJet: 223 flights cancelled due to France strike action – can you get compensation?

easyJet has announced it will be pulling 223 scheduled domestic and medium-haul flights over the coming days ahead of the general strike in France. The strike will see Air Traffic Controllers in the country downing tools in as part of industrial action in a war against planned pension reform in the country. As a result, flights travelling to and from airports across the country will be affected, as well as flights whose routes include transit through French airspace.

“Customers on affected flights will be contacted directly via SMS and email.

“Any customers affected by cancellations are eligible for a refund or a free of charge transfer to a new flight.

“Although this is outside of our control we would like to apologise to all our customers for any inconvenience caused and would like to reassure them we are doing all possible to minimise any disruption as a result of the strike action.”

Meanwhile, France civil aviation authority, DGAC , announced on Tuesday that 20 percent of flights will be cancelled across the country on Thursday alone.

Can easyJet passengers claim compensation for cancellations?

As the strikes are beyond easyJet’s control the airline is not liable for the cancellations.

If your flight is cancelled due to an Air Traffic Control strike or any other third party strike causing problems to the flight schedule, passengers are not entitled to collect compensation.

The airline is, however, offering passengers the opportunity to change their flights to an alternative day when strike action won’t affect itineraries. Alternatively, customers can receive their flight cost back in full. 

As the strike action is indefinite, it could be ongoing, however, it is predicted to continue until at least 8 December.

Will other transport providers be affected? 

Airlines across the country will be affected, as well as international airlines operating in or through the country’s airspace.

British Airways issued a statement reading: “Like all airlines, our operations to and from French airports and certain airports in Spain and Switzerland between Thursday 5 December and Saturday 7 December may be affected by French Air Traffic Control industrial strike action which is due to take place.”

The airline is also offering a flexible booking policy for travellers due to travel between 5 and 7 December to or from all airports in France, as well as Barcelona, Madrid, Basel, Geneva and Zurich.

BA continues: “If you are due to travel between Thursday 5 December and Saturday 7 December to/from one of these airports you can change your date of travel to any day from the 2-4 December and 8-12 December 2019.”

Meanwhile, Eurostar services from London to stations across the country are also likely to be disrupted by strike action from local transport services.

The train operator issued a statement reading: “Trade Unions in France have called for a nationwide general strike from 5 December 2019.

“The strike action will impact our ability to deliver the usual timetable as we expect disruption to signalling along all routes. As a result, we will now run a reduced timetable from the 5 until the 10 December.”

source: express.co.uk