One of the most common factors behind flight disruptions is flight strikes, which are often arranged by airline workers, an airport itself, or an airline. As a passenger, you should be aware of the EU 261 regulation, under which you might be qualified for compensation of up to 600 Euros.
Learn more to find out how to obtain compensation and when you qualify.
Your Passenger Rights
The good news is that any passenger is protected by the EU 261 regulation. The EU 261/2004 is a European Union regulation that sets the rules for assistance and compensation to passengers in cases of flight disruptions. Now, let’s take a closer look at air passenger rights, under EU 261:
- The airline must provide travelers with information about their rights.
- In case of flight cancellation, a passenger is entitled to choose one of the following options: either a ticket refund or rerouting to the final destination under similar conditions;
- Passengers can expect to receive food and beverages; they are also entitled to have two free phone calls, e-mails, or faxes.
- If you decide to reroute, and it involves an overnight stay, the airline is obligated to provide hotel accommodation, as well as transportation between the the hotel and airport.
- Compensation between 250 to 600 euros per passenger
When You Are Entitled to Helvetic Airways Strike Compensation
Frequently, Helvetic Airways strikes involve their employees. These could be pilots, engineers, flight attendants, or other essential staff. As you’re now aware, you can seek compensation for airline strikes, if your travel was disrupted. The compensation will then cover the inconvenience you experienced due to the strike.
It is also crucial to understand what “extraordinary circumstances” are. These are events beyond the airline’s control. If a strike is considered one of these circumstances, the airline is not required to provide compensation. It is important to note if a staff strike occurs, the airline could have potentially foreseen and managed such incidents, therefore such cases are within the airline’s control. That is when flight disruptions are made by the airline’s own employees, they are not cases of extraordinary circumstances. Consequently, passengers have a right to claim flight compensation.
However, you need to be aware that each incident is individual, meaning that every flight disruption caused by a strike must be carefully analyzed to determine whether the airline will provide compensation.
Helvetic Airways Strike Compensation
Before seeking compensation for an airline strike, it’s important to understand the criteria and the amount of compensation you might receive.
Helvetic Airways Strike Flight Delay Compensation
The longer a flight is delayed, the more trouble it creates for passengers. When airline workers go on strike, it can disrupt travelers’ plans and make them arrive at their final destination much later than expected. It is crucial to be aware that if your flight is delayed for over 3 hours because of a strike, you have the right to seek compensation from the airline for the inconvenience caused.
When evaluating the potential sum of compensation, passengers should take two critical facts into account: the flight’s distance and the delay length they experience. It’s essential to understand these details, as only that is how you can be calm regarding the fair flight delay compensation you are entitled to. Below you can see a table with the amounts of compensation you could get.
| Less than 3 hours | Between 3-4 hours | Over 4 hours | Distance |
| €0 | €250 | €250 | All flights up to 1500 km |
| €0 | €400 | €400 | All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km |
| €0 | €400 | €400 | All intra-EU flights over 3500 km |
| €0 | €300 | €600 | All non-EU flights over 3500 km |
Helvetic Airways Strike Flight Cancellation Compensation
Sometimes, it also happens that airline strikes cause flight cancellation. Under EU Regulation 261/2004, you can claim compensation of up to 600 Euros. Note that the regulation also states that you are entitled to compensation in the case when the airline notified you about the cancellation less than 14 days before your travel.
Nevertheless, there are always some exceptions to the regulations, and here is the case. The airline is entitled to avoid paying compensation if it provides the passenger an alternative flight. This alternative flight must meet the conditions enumerated below:
| Advance Notice | Re-routing Requirements |
| 14 Days | None |
| 7 – 13 Days | Alternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flight |
| Less than 7 Days | Alternative flight departing no more than 1 hour before and arriving less than 2 hours after the original flight |
Importantly, if you used an alternative flight but your final arrival time at your destination was still delayed, you can claim compensation.
The amount of the compensation is based on the flight distance and the time of delay in arriving at the final destination. Take a look at the table below for more details:
| Under 2 hours | 2-3 hours | 3-4 hours | Over 4 hours | Never arrived | Distance |
| €125 | €250 | €250 | €250 | €250 | All flights 1,500 km or less |
| €200 | €200 | €400 | €400 | €400 | Internal EU flights over 1,500 km |
| €200 | €200 | €400 | €400 | €400 | Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km- 3,500 km |
| €300 | €300 | €300 | €600 | €600 | Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km |
Which Helvetic Airways Flights Are Covered by EU261?
EU261 regulation covers all flights departing from EU airports, regardless of the airline, as well as flights arriving in the EU from outside the EU when operated by EU airlines. It also applies to flights to and from Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
The table below shows which Helvetic Airways flights are covered by EU 261/2004:
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing the EU airports | ✅ Covered |
| Flights arriving at the EU airports | ✅ Covered |
How to Claim Helvetic Airways Strike Compensation
If you’ve faced flight cancellations or delays at least once, you understand how irritating it can be.
Passengers who face any of these issues on Helvetic Airways flights have a right to claim compensation, according to the EU regulations. Follow these steps to claim compensation:
- Fill in our form. You’ll need to provide details including your flight number, date, and the problem you faced.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We are well-versed in the EU laws well and will make every effort to get you your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.