Ryanair workers have gone on strike. It will be on June 24, 25, 26 and 30 and July 1 and 2 when the cabin crew have decided to call a strike after the decision of the Irish airline to end the negotiation of the first collective agreement. With it, the staff demands “decent” working conditions and “basic” labor rights, according to the two convening unions.
A strike that comes at the worst possible time, as thousands of people take advantage of these dates to make their summer getaways, and more so now after the recovery of air traffic with the end of almost all the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus.
A situation that will force thousands of travelers to stay on land.
Strikes by air transport companies lead to delays and cancellations of their flights. In the event of cancellation due to a strike, the entity has breached part of the contract, so it cannot be considered an ‘extraordinary cause’, as it would be a cancellation derived from meteorological problems.
In this way, affected passengers can claim compensation of between 250 and 600 euros from the companies. And what does the amount of compensation depend on? Distance.
On a flight of up to 1,500 kilometers, the compensation is 250 euros. If the trip is between 1,500 kilometers and 3,500 kilometers, it amounts to 400 euros. It is from 3,500 kilometers when the firm is obliged to pay 600 euros to the victims of the cancellations.
However, these amounts can be reduced by half if, in this case, Ryanair offers an alternative means of transport and provided that it meets a series of requirements regarding the time of arrival at the destination:
– On a trip of up to 1,500 kilometres, the compensation of 250 euros will be reduced to 125 if the arrival delay is less than 2 hours.
– On flights between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometers, it will decrease to 200 euros if the delay is less than 3 hours.
– Journeys of more than 3,500 kilometers will be compensated with 300 euros if the delay is less than 4 hours.
[A perfect storm hits the airports at the gates of the summer campaign]
During the travel delay, the airline must provide food and drink, two phone calls or email access, hotel accommodation (with meals) if overnight is necessary, and transportation from the airport to the hotel. In the event that the company does not take charge of the expenses, travelers must keep the receipts to claim them later.
Keep in mind that the company will not be obliged to compensate those affected if it has reported the cancellation 14 days before the scheduled flight and as long as it occurs due to extraordinary causes.
