Delayed plane: your rights in the event of a dispute with Ethiopian Airlines

Before boarding your vacation destination, be aware of your rights as a passenger. In the event of a problem, you can obtain compensation from your company. Here, depending on the dispute, how to assert your rights.

Delay, flight cancellation, denied boarding, lost luggage ... there are many reasons for disputes with an airline. In 2013, 46% of complaints addressed to the Tourism and Travel Ombudsman concerned air transport. In order to go on vacation with peace of mind, it is best to know your rights as a passenger before boarding. Since the entry into force, on February 17, 2005, of the European regulation on air transport (EC Regulation No. 261/2004), you have in fact many protections. In addition, during 2015, new rules will apply, following the revision of the regulation, which was to be definitively adopted by the Council of the European Union (EU) in June. In the meantime, here's how to assert your rights in the event of a dispute. First, whatever the type of problem, be aware that you will need to require a written certificate and act upon your return from vacation.

Delay, flight cancellation, denied boarding, lost baggage, ... the grounds for disputes with an airline are numerous. In order to go on vacation with peace of mind, it is best to know your rights as a passenger before boarding. Since the entry into force, on February 17, 2005, of the European regulation on air transport (EC Regulation No. 261/2004), you have in fact many protections. In addition, during 2015, new rules will apply, following the revision of the regulation, which was to be definitively adopted by the Council of the European Union (EU) in June. In the meantime, here's how to assert your rights in the event of a dispute. First, whatever the type of problem, be aware that you will need to require a written certificate and act upon your return from vacation.

Was your flight seriously delayed or canceled? What are Ethiopian Airlines ’obligations to you?

If your flight did not take off on time or has accumulated several hours of delay (5 hours or more), you can ask the Ethiopian carrier to either re-route you on another flight or to reimburse you for the ticket within a deadline. of 7 days. Please note, to avoid reimbursing passengers, companies often try to reclassify a cancellation as a simple delay. Check the number of the flight offered to you when rerouting. If it is different from the original number, it is indeed a cancellation. In this case, you must also be covered for assistance.

The flight delay forces you to spend a night at the hotel. Your meals and your room will they be taken care of. Finally, passengers whose flight has been canceled are also entitled to payment of a lump sum compensation of the same amount and under the same conditions as for a delay.

Also be aware that you will not be compensated if you have been informed of the flight cancellation up to 2 weeks before departure. Likewise, the carrier will not be required to compensate you if it proves that the cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances. But these are now very limited: the failure of an engine, for example, does not constitute an extraordinary circumstance, since the responsibility of Ethiopian Airlines can be engaged because the minimum rules of maintenance of the aircraft do not have not been respected.

Another case: an airline staff strike with notice given cannot be considered an extraordinary circumstance, the company having been informed in advance. On the other hand, an air traffic controllers strike can be rightly called for. Extraordinary Circumstances to precisely listed cases, and will require Ethiopian Airlines to justify these circumstances to its customers.

Did your plane not take off when it was already dark?

If your flight is canceled or more than 2 hours late, company must assist you, providing you with food and drinks. It should also allow you to make two free phone calls (or send two emails or two faxes). If the flight is postponed to the next day, the company must take care of your hotel room and transportation to this accommodation. This assistance is due, even in the event of extraordinary circonstances.