14 Aug 10
Dutch airline KLM holds out on ash cloud compensation
Hundreds of British families are still waiting for compensation from Dutch airline KLM for delays caused by the volcanic ash cloud earlier this year.
According to EU rules, passengers must get hotel and meal costs reimbursed for the whole time they are stranded but KLM says it will only pay for 24 hours.
Who does your sympathy and support go to? KLM or the passengers/E.U.?
14 Aug 10
Originally posted by KazetNagorraIf the 'rules' provide for passengers to be paid compensation in such circumstances then clearly they are entitled to it, so what has 'sympathy' got to do with it?
The rules say they should be reimbursed. So they should be reimbursed.
14 Aug 10
Originally posted by FMFThey are not. But if the rules state that passengers should be reimbursed in this sort of situation, then they should. If it's a bad rule, then the rule should be changed, but such a change should not be applied retroactively since that would set a rather worrying precedent.
In what way were KLM responsible for the delay?
14 Aug 10
Originally posted by KazetNagorraPersonally I would be embarrassed to claim this money.
They are not. But if the rules state that passengers should be reimbursed in this sort of situation, then they should. If it's a bad rule, then the rule should be changed, but such a change should not be applied retroactively since that would set a rather worrying precedent.
14 Aug 10
1 edit
Originally posted by FMFI think the rule itself is a poor one; there is no reason why people should not be able to buy their own insurance against this sort of incident, rather than forcing airlines to implicitly sell the insurance policy to their customers.
Personally I would be embarrassed to claim this money.
However, since you've basically already paid for the insurance, I don't see why anyone would be embarrassed to claim the money. Perhaps the people who should be embarrassed are Air France-KLM employees responsible for risk assessment.
14 Aug 10
Originally posted by KazetNagorraDo you mean air tickets should be maybe 2, 3 or 4 times more expensive just in case all the passengers have to stay in hotels for 18 days?
Perhaps the people who should be embarrassed are Air France-KLM employees responsible for risk assessment.
14 Aug 10
Originally posted by FMFThat is what the EU rule says, though perhaps people at airlines will disagree with you about the risk of volcanic ash clouds and the corresponding value of the insurance policy.
Do you mean air tickets should be maybe 2, 3 or 4 times more expensive just in case all the passengers have to stay in hotels for 18 days?
Or perhaps the article in the OP has misinterpreted the rules, and KLM's interpretation of the rules is the correct one. I haven't read the actual regulations.
14 Aug 10
1 edit
Originally posted by FMFAn 'Act of God' exclusion clause? Yes, and KLM may well question the competence of the lawyers they employed to advise.
I agree with KazetNagorra, if it's a bad rule, then the rule should be changed.
Edit: But that does not make them any the less responsible for paying up now.
14 Aug 10
Originally posted by KazetNagorraNeither have I. And I do wonder. Delays caused by airline operational problems etc. I can understand. But one caused by an ash cloud, and lasting almost three weeks, seems to me to be something everyone needs to take on the chin to some degree and not just businesses that were absolutely powerless in the face of something no one could control.
Or perhaps the article in the OP has misinterpreted the rules, and KLM's interpretation of the rules is the correct one. I haven't read the actual regulations.
14 Aug 10
Originally posted by FMFYou cannot change rules according to the situation. The rule stands, even if it's wrong.
Dutch airline KLM holds out on ash cloud compensation
Who does your sympathy and support go to? KLM or the passengers/E.U.?[/b]
My sympathy goes to KLM when money is claimed.
My sympathy goes to the passengers when the claim is turned down.
Why is KLM denying the claimes when no other air company does it?
14 Aug 10
Originally posted by FMFPerhaps they should say they are not stealing the money. Instead they should say it is a "tax" towards the greater welfare of all those who travel the friendly skies. 😀
[b]Dutch airline KLM holds out on ash cloud compensation
Hundreds of British families are still waiting for compensation from Dutch airline KLM for delays caused by the volcanic ash cloud earlier this year.
According to EU rules, passengers must get hotel and meal costs reimbursed for the whole time they are stranded but KLM says it will only pa ...[text shortened]... for 24 hours.
Who does your sympathy and support go to? KLM or the passengers/E.U.?[/b]