Are you eligible for compensation in the event of a ground handling agent strike?

The strike of ground handling agents can hinder the smooth running of flights, causing delays and cancellations, which do not give the right to compensation, according to European Union Regulation CE No. 261/2004.

On the other hand, the company is obliged to provide assistance at the airport to all its passengers. She must offer you refreshments, meals and two free communications for any wait from 2 hours…, depending on the situation :

  • Delay of 2 hours for flights less than 1500 km.
  • Delay of 3 hours for flights or more for flights in the European Union over 1500 km, and all other flights between 1500 km to 3500 km.
  • Delay of 4 hour for all flights over 3500 km.

If the flight exceeds 5 hours, the passenger has the right to have their ticket refunded if they cancel the trip.

If the flight is postponed until the next day, the airline is required to pick you up and reserve a hotel room for you, in addition to providing transportation between the airport and accommodation.

 

Ground handling agents strike :

The role of the airport stopover agent is to facilitate flight check-in formalities, carrying out all the related tasks: checking tickets and identity documents, checking in the passenger and their passengers. luggage…

The unions of airport handling agents resort to strike action to generally demand better working conditions… but this situation can cause various inconveniences for passengers, including flight delays…

 

Compensation in the event of a strike by ground handling agents :

If you experience a delay or cancellation of a flight, following a strike by airport handling agents, be aware that they are airport staff and not the airline, so they are not responsible. not responsible, as indicated in European regulations.

However, if you are refused boarding following this situation, please note that compensation of up to 600 euros is your right, according to European regulations, since this refusal to board is the consequence of an overbooking (overbooking).

The amount of compensation for this inconvenience depends on the flight route:

  • 250 euros: flight of less than 1500 km.
  • 400 euros: flight between 1500 km and 3500 km.
  • 600 euros: flight of more than 3500 km.

 

The claim for compensation :

The ground handling agents are there to provide assistance at the airport, for checking in your luggage, and yourself…if they resort to a strike and your flight is disrupted, the airline is exempt to pay you compensation, according to European Union regulations.

However, if they refuse you boarding, following this strike, they cannot take them into account in this case. And it is obliged to compensate you up to 600 euros, if this results from overbooking.

In this case, you can request your compensation alone, or through a compensation company, which will do it for you free of charge, until you win your case, where an amount of charging costs will be deducted from the sum. obtained, which is on average 25%, according to the company.