Weather-related flight cancellations in winter: What you should consider as a passenger

Weather-related flight cancellations in winter: What you should consider as a passenger

According to a report by www.merkur.de, flight cancellations often occur in winter due to extreme weather conditions such as snowfall, storms, freezing rain or fog. The EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation exempts airlines from paying compensation in such cases, and the right to reimbursement of travel costs also no longer applies. However, consumers have the right to assess their entitlement to reimbursement if other airlines have resumed operations and only their airline is citing extreme weather conditions. In addition, in certain cases, consumers can claim compensation up to three years after the flight.

The impact of such flight cancellations on the market and consumers can be significant. Firstly, airlines may face financial burdens due to compensation payments and repayment demands, which may impact their profitability. This may result in airline ticket prices increasing to offset the additional costs.

For consumers, this means that if flights are canceled due to extreme weather, they may not receive compensation or reimbursement of their costs. This could require them to find other transportation options, which may incur additional costs. Likewise, they may be forced to change their travel plans, causing inconvenience and stress.

Overall, extreme weather conditions and the associated flight cancellations can have a significant impact on the market and consumers, highlighting the need for careful planning and the purchase of travel cancellation insurance.