A British Airways passenger has criticised the airline after it refused to pay £220 compensation for a cancelled flight, initially blaming adverse weather before later citing operational reasons. The passenger, who booked a Tui river cruise package in Switzerland with BA flights, was due to return home when the flight was cancelled, affecting around 40 people. BA eventually rebooked them on a flight 36 hours later but declined compensation under EC regulations.
The airline first claimed adverse weather exempted it from compensation rules. However, when the passenger requested a formal cancellation note for their travel insurer, BA cited “operational reasons”, which are not covered by the insurance policy. The passenger described this as “outrageous behaviour” from a company that once called itself “the world’s favourite airline”.
Under EC regulation 261/2004, airlines must pay compensation for cancellations unless caused by “extraordinary circumstances”. Court rulings have clarified that operational issues do not qualify, while weather may only count if exceptional and unexpected. BA argued that bad weather had displaced crew, causing a knock-on effect, but law firm Bott & Co stated such knock-on effects are not a valid excuse to withhold compensation.
BA refused further comment as the case was with its dispute resolution service, CEDR. The passenger accused BA of stalling tactics, and the airline eventually paid up. The passenger fears other affected travellers may still be waiting for compensation.
