In the middle of the summer holidays, holidaymakers in Mallorca are now facing a lot of frustration. Because employees of a ramp service are going on strike for a total of six days in July, there are delays and cancellations. An expert reveals what travelers now need to be aware of.

Six days – that is how long the strike is to last. This is the time that employees of the company Wings Handling, which carries out ramp services for Eurowings at Palma Airport, have set aside. In addition to July 1, they also want to stop work on July 5, 7, 10, 12 and 13.

At the moment, it looks as if there will indeed be delays and cancellations: According to employee representatives at Wings Handling, it does not currently look as if the parties will be able to reach an agreement, reports “Mallorca Zeitung”.

But passengers do not have to sit idly by during the strike – they are entitled to compensation, as an expert now explains. She explains what travelers affected by the work stoppages need to know.

Nina Staub, passenger rights expert at the world’s largest organisation for passenger rights, AirHelp, explains what rights travellers have. Even if the strike dates will cause some chaos for passengers: “The good news: If there are delays of more than three hours or cancellations, you are entitled to compensation of up to 600 euros,” says Staub.

The amount of compensation will be calculated based on the length of the flight. “Affected passengers can enforce their compensation claim retroactively, up to three years after their flight date.”

Three years ago, the organization was able to convince the European Court of Justice in a legal dispute that airlines are liable for both announced and unannounced strikes by their staff and must compensate their customers if problems arise. Staub: “Because in this case the staff of Wings Handling Palma, who provide ground services for Eurowings, are on strike, the strike is the responsibility of the airline. Accordingly, affected passengers are entitled to compensation.”

Not only that: Eurowings also has to find an alternative flight, says the expert. Or the airline has to refund the flight price in full. “Airlines usually offer rebooking to an alternative flight. If the airline does not take action on its own or cannot offer suitable alternative transport, the affected passengers can look for an alternative themselves and bill the airline for the costs.” Important: Do not rebook without consulting the airline.

If the delay is more than five hours or if the flight is delayed, the airline is also obliged to refund the full price of the ticket, says Staub. “If the delay is more than two hours, the operating airline must provide passengers with meals and drinks at the airport.” In addition, two phone calls or the sending of two emails must be possible.

If necessary, the airlines must also provide accommodation and facilitate transport there. The expert advises requesting this service from the airline. Staub: “We advise all passengers to keep every receipt in order to be able to get a refund from the airline for the cost of food, refreshments, alternative travel and accommodation.”

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The original of this article “Mallorca airport goes on strike in the middle of summer holidays – what travelers need to know” comes from Express.de.