Refunds and Compensation for Surinam Airways Strike

Flight delays or cancellations due to airline strikes can be frustrating, but there is good news for passengers. There is a regulation called EU 261 that protects you. It stipulates that airlines have to issue compensation if your flight is cancelled or delayed due to a strike. In this article, we will clarify what the EU 261 regulation is and how it can assist you.

Passenger Rights Under EU 261/2004

Now let’s focus on the particulars of EU Regulation 261/2004. In the following sections, you will learn about your rights to compensation and what advantages you can expect in case of a flight disruption.

Right to Compensation

The European Union regulation states that if you are covered by the EU 261/2004, you are entitled to seek compensation if a wildcat or planned strike by airline workers disrupts your flight. It’s important to note, that both cases do not qualify as “extraordinary circumstances” which are events outside the airline’s control.

Flight Cancellation Compensation

Under EU Regulation 261, you are entitled to compensation of up to €600 if your flight is cancelled and the airline does not notify you of the flight cancellation within 14 days before your planned departure date.

However, as is frequently the case, there are exceptions you should be aware of. In particular, the airline is entitled to refuse compensation if they choose to offer you an alternative flight. However, this flight is required to meet certain requirements:

• If your flight is over 3,500 km, your replacement flight must arrive at the point of destination with a delay of less than 4 hours;
• If your flight is 1,500-3,500 km, your replacement flight must arrive at the point of destination with a delay of less than 3 hours;
• If your flight is less than 1,500 km, your replacement flight must arrive at the point of destination with a delay of less than 2 hours;

If you agreed to the alternative flight offered by the airline but reached the final destination later than originally scheduled, you are still eligible to claim compensation.

The key factors that affect the amount of compensation are the flight distance and the delay time. Check the table provided below for compensation amounts:

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

Flight Delay Compensation

Delays caused by airline strikes of any duration can be frustrating and may seriously affect your plans. You may be eligible for compensation if the flight delay caused by an airline strike lasts at least three hours.

Concerning the potential amount of compensation that passengers can expect, there are two key factors to consider: the duration of the delay and the flight distance. Check the table below for compensation amounts:

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

Ticket Refund or Alternative Transportation

In the rare cases when a passenger’s flight is delayed for 5 or more hours or cancelled, the passenger obtains more substantial rights. There are two options for you to choose from:

• You can refuse the delayed or cancelled flight and choose a full ticket refund, meaning that you will also cancel your planned trip, and there won’t be a financial penalty for this.
• You can agree to use an alternative flight that the airline arranges for you.

As you can see, you have the right to choose the option that meets your needs.

Right to Care

In addition to compensation for a cancelled or delayed flight due to an airline strike, passengers are also entitled to the right to care. So, the airline is required to provide passengers with food, beverages, and the opportunity to make two phone calls, fax messages, and emails. When your flight is rescheduled for the next day, the airline has to provide you with a hotel, as well as transport between the airport and the hotel.

Upgrading and Downgrading

Sometimes it occurs the airline might either downgrade or upgrade your flight’s class when offering an alternative flight. In such cases, you need to understand specific rules and your rights:

In case of upgrading: if your class has been upgraded, you aren’t required to pay extra for this benefit.

In case of downgrading: if your class is downgraded, the airline is obligated to reimburse you. Again, the compensation here is determined by the distance of the flight:

• 30% of the cost of the flights that are 1,500 km or less;
• 50% of the cost of t is an intra-EU flight over 1,500 km; also, if these are all other flights that are 1,500-3,500 km;
• 75% of the cost of the flight is 3,500 km and more.

These rules cover all flights within the EU; besides, these regulations apply to flights that are either departing from or arriving in the European Union on airlines based in the EU.

When Are You Not Entitled to Compensation?

Unfortunately, you should know that in cases where the airline cannot control or prevent the strike, there will be no compensation for passengers. Let’s take an example: any labor dispute could considerably affect aviation (it can be a national labor or air traffic strike); however, such events are not under an airline’s control, and it’s not its fault that this situation happens. Therefore, the airline is not obligated to pay compensation for disrupted flights.

Although many instances of strikes are not covered by EU261 and are classified as “extraordinary circumstances”, this doesn’t automatically mean that the airline will not pay compensation.

In line with the ECJ ruling of 11 June 2020 (Case C-74/19), the airline must prove they have done everything possible to prevent a strike. If the airline cannot prove it, they are required to pay passengers compensation for flight disruptions.

Which Flights are Covered by EU 261/2004?

EU Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from EU airports. It also applies to flights arriving in the EU if the airline is based in the EU. This includes airlines from EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

However, Surinam Airways isn’t a European airline. Consequently, they aren’t required to issue compensation if their flights operate outside the European Union. This is true even for their flights to the European Union if they start outside the EU.

Itinerary	Covered by EU 261
Flights departing from EU airports	✔️ Yes
Flights arriving at EU airports	❌ No

How to Get Surinam Airways Strike Compensation

Dealing with flight delays or cancellations due to strikes is always frustrating. It can spoil your trip but also create problems – emotional, financial, etc. To get compensated for this inconvenience, take the following actions:

1. Fill in this form. You’ll need to provide details including your flight number, date, and what went wrong.
2. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will handle the rest. We understand the EU laws comprehensively and will strive to secure your compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.

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