Flights canceled due to bomb threats : A refund, but no compensation

Every month, travelers face flight cancellations due to bomb threats at French airports, a stressful situation that raises questions about passenger rights. Despite the tension and disappointment, there is an established refund process, although compensation for the inconvenience remains out of reach.

Ticket Refund: A Light in the Darkness

European legislation, under Regulation 261/2004, guarantees passengers a refund or rerouting after the cancellation of a flight. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) emphasizes that travelers can opt for reimbursement of the ticket or choose rerouting to their initial destination, covered by the airline.

Online travel agencies and sites are also required to provide refunds within a maximum of 14 days, regardless of the means of purchase used.

Accommodation Supported: A Consolation for Passengers

In the event that a waiting period is necessary for the next flight, the DGAC ensures that airlines must offer accommodation. This measure aims to minimize the discomfort of passengers waiting for a rerouting solution.

Compensation: A vain wait, without professional assistance

However, the situation becomes complicated when it comes to compensation for the inconvenience suffered. The DGAC specifies that cancellations due to bomb threats are considered extraordinary circumstances, exempting airlines from any compensation obligation.

This position is reinforced by the European Consumer Center of France, which recalls that exceptional, unavoidable events external to the company, such as bomb threats, do not give right to compensation.

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Insurance: A limited remedy

Faced with this exclusion of compensation, passengers could consider turning to their travel insurance. However, the exceptional circumstances caused by a bomb threat are often excluded from coverage, leaving travelers without financial recourse for the inconveniences endured.

Although passengers are entitled to a refund or re-routing, as well as accommodation if necessary, due to flight cancellation due to a bomb threat, they are left without the possibility of compensation. for the troubles caused. This situation highlights the limits of the protection offered to travelers in exceptional circumstances, highlighting the importance of a clear understanding of their rights and insurance coverage before traveling.