800 claims filed after January flight cancellations; More expected through summer

EUclaim is still seeing an increase in compensation claims after flights were canceled due to winter weather in early January. About 800 claims have been filed so far, and according to a spokesperson, while the surge has passed, new claims are expected to keep coming in until the summer.

Travelers filing a claim with EUclaim can seek reimbursement for additional expenses. After flight cancellations, many passengers arranged alternative flights on their own and paid out of pocket for lodging, meals, and drinks. While airlines are obliged to cover these costs, disagreements frequently emerge over how much should be reimbursed, a spokesperson said.

According to the spokesperson, airlines should take responsibility for assisting stranded passengers, but in practice, travelers are frequently left to make their own arrangements, after which airlines challenge the expenses incurred.

The wave of cancellations has driven up the cost of flights and hotels. Many travelers, the spokesperson notes, are still waiting to be reimbursed or receive only a small portion of their expenses. “It’s highly arrogant for airlines to expect passengers to cover a ticket that can cost as much as 1,200 euros, when ensuring these arrangements is the airline’s responsibility,” the spokesperson added.

On average, passengers sought between 300 and 400 euros to cover their expenses. In total, EUclaim has processed roughly 300,000 euros in upfront costs.

The organization says that the claims submitted so far represent only the tip of the iceberg, as many travelers are unaware that expenses beyond the flight itself can also be reimbursed.