One of the most common causes of flight disruptions is flight strikes, which may be initiated by airline workers, an airport itself, or an airline. As a passenger, you should be aware of European Union Regulation 261, under which you may be qualified for compensation of up to 600 Euros.
Learn more to find out how you can get compensation and under what circumstances.
Your Passenger Rights
The good news is that every air traveler 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 delays and cancellations. Now, let’s take a closer look at air passenger rights, under EU 261:
- The airline needs to provide travelers with information about their rights.
- In the event of flight cancellation, a passenger is entitled to select one of the following options: either a ticket refund or rerouting to the final destination under similar conditions;
- Passengers can expect to receive meals and drinks; they are also entitled to have two free phone calls, e-mails, or faxes.
- If you choose an alternative flight, and it involves an overnight stay, the airline is required to provide hotel accommodation, as well as transportation between the airport and the hotel.
- Compensation between 250 to 600 euros per passenger
When You Are Entitled to TUI Airways Strike Compensation
Often, TUI Airways strikes involve their staff. These could be pilots, engineers, flight attendants, or other essential personnel. As you now know, 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. Importantly, if a staff strike happens, the airline could have potentially foreseen and managed such incidents, thus 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 are entitled 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.
TUI Airways Strike Compensation
Before seeking compensation for an airline strike, it’s important to understand the criteria and the amount of compensation you could be entitled to.
TUI Airways Strike Flight Delay Compensation
The longer a flight is delayed, the more trouble it causes travelers. When airline staff go on strike, it can disrupt travelers’ plans and make them arrive at their final destination much later than expected. It is important to know that if your flight is delayed for over 3 hours due to a strike, you are entitled to compensation from the airline for the inconvenience caused.
When assessing the potential sum of compensation, passengers should take two critical facts into account: the distance of the flight and the delay length they experience. It’s crucial to understand these factors, as only that is how you can be calm regarding the fair flight delay compensation you deserve. Below you can find 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 |
TUI Airways Strike Flight Cancellation Compensation
Sometimes, it also happens that airline strikes result in flight cancellation. Under EU 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 two weeks before your travel.
However, there are always some exceptions to the regulations, and here is the case. The airline has a right to avoid paying compensation if it provides the passenger an alternative flight. This alternative flight must meet the requirements listed 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 the destination point was still delayed, you can claim compensation.
The amount of the compensation fully depends on the flight distance and the time of delay in arriving at the final destination. Check the table below for additional information:
| 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 TUI Airways Flights Are Covered by EU261?
The EU261 regulation applies to every flight departing from EU airports, regardless of the airline, as well as flights arriving in the EU from non-EU countries if they are operated by airlines based in the EU. The regulation also covers flights to and from Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland.
The table below shows which TUI Airways flights are protected by EU Regulation 261:
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing the EU airports | ✅ Covered |
| Flights arriving at the EU airports | ✅ Covered |
How to Claim TUI Airways Strike Compensation
If you have encountered flight delays or cancellations at least once, you know how annoying it can be.
Travelers who encounter any of these issues on TUI Airways flights have a right to claim compensation, according to the EU regulations. Follow these steps to claim compensation:
- Complete this form. You’ll need to provide details like 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 know the EU laws comprehensively and will make every effort to secure your compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.