Could a strike by security guards give rise to compensation?
The airport security officer must ensure security at the airport, by controlling access to it, and by inspecting baggage by filtering it on the X-ray machine belt.
Generally, security agents strike to demand salary increases and improved working conditions, the duration of which depends on the negotiation time of their union.
If a strike by security agents hinders the smooth running of airline flights, causing delays and flight cancellations. In these cases, the company cannot be held responsible, and does not have to pay its passengers, according to European regulation 261/2004, but must also take care of them at the airport…
However, denied boarding following overbooking cannot be caused by a strike by security agents, and in this case, the company is obliged to compensate its passengers.
The amount of compensation :
European Regulation CE No. 261/2004, which protects air passengers, allocates amounts of compensation in the case of denied boarding following a strike by security agents, which vary depending on the distance of the flight. :
- If the flight distance is less than 1500 km, the compensation is €250.
- If the flight distance is between 1500 km and 3500 km, the compensation is €400.
- If the flight distance is greater than 3500 km, the compensation is €600.
Support in the event of a strike by security agents :
Whether responsible or not, the airline must provide the following services to its passengers for any wait beyond 2 hours at the airport :
- Snacks and drinks
- 2 phone calls or send 2 emails.
- Beyond 5 hours of waiting : passengers have the right to cancel their reservations and obtain a refund of their tickets.
- If the flight is postponed until the next day : the airline must provide accommodation for passengers, with round-trip transportation from the airport to the hotel.
Flights affected by this regulation :
Flights departing from an airport located in a member state of the European Union, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland, whatever the airport of arrival and whatever the nationality of the carrier.
Flights to an airport located in a member state of the European Union, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland regardless of the airport of departure, as long as the carrier is considered “community”, c that is to say that it has a license issued by a State of the European Union.
Passengers (whatever their nationality) on these European flights benefit from the protection of the European regulations mentioned in this sheet.
The claim for compensation :
In the event of a flight impacted by this strike, please note that the company is exempt from paying compensation, since this is an extraordinary circumstance, which is beyond its control.
However, the airline is required to assist you during the waiting time at the airport, and does not have to compensate you for the damage suffered, except in the case of denied boarding, where extraordinary circumstances are not considered. as a cause, and where overbooking may be the main cause.
In this case, you can take steps to assert your rights with the company, yourself, or through a ticket from a company specializing in the field of air transport.