Corporation” to cancel approximately 5,000 flights during the summer season, the Consumer Rights Protection Centre (CRPC) reminds passengers of their rights as outlined in Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council (the Regulation).
Passenger Rights in Case of Flight Cancellations
In the event of a flight cancellation, the airline is obligated to offer passengers two options:
- Re-routing
- Refund
Upon receiving notice of a flight cancellation, passengers must follow the provided instructions and choose the option that suits them best.
Re-routing
If a passenger opts for re-routing on the airline’s website, the system will automatically offer the closest available alternative flight, according to the airline’s explanation. If this option is unsuitable, passengers can select a different date. If they cannot find a suitable option, they should contact the airline’s call center.
Compensation
Under the Regulation, the airline is not required to pay compensation if the flight is canceled at least two weeks before the scheduled departure date.
Insurance
If the passenger has purchased travel insurance and incurred losses (e.g., for a reserved hotel or other services), they should contact their insurer. The insurance reimbursement depends on the selected policy and the risks covered.
Action in Case of Disputes
If the issue with the airline is not resolved, passengers from Latvia can approach the CRPC and passangers from other countries can contact ECC Latvia by submitting a signed application with supporting documents (such as correspondence with the airline, ticket copies, etc.).
Additional Information
In 2024, the CRPC received 547 air passenger complaints regarding all carriers, including 125 complaints related to canceled flights. In 2023, 619 complaints were received, 85 of which were related to canceled flights.
