In recent months, several airlines have been adjusting operations, reducing routes and canceling flights as costs rise. For those who had trips planned, the question arises almost automatically: when the cancellation is linked to the price of fuel, is there a right to compensation or not?
According to , the response from European authorities is clear and leaves no room for interpretations favorable to companies. The increase in the cost of kerosene alone is not considered sufficient reason to escape legal obligations towards passengers.
The reason that does not exempt companies
The position was reinforced by the European Transport Commissioner, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, who ruled out the possibility of classifying these cancellations as “extraordinary circumstances”.
As he explained, the price of fuel is part of the normal risk of airline activity. Even if costs increase significantly, they continue to be a predictable factor within the functioning of the sector.
This means that, if a flight is canceled for economic reasons related to fuel, the company maintains the obligation to compensate passengers.
What does the European framework say
European Union legislation protects passengers whenever the cancellation is attributable to the carrier. In these cases, in addition to the right to refund or rerouting, financial compensation may be available, which varies depending on the distance of the flight and the time before cancellation.
As the increase in fuel prices is not considered an exceptional situation, it does not allow these obligations to be avoided.
Companies are cutting supply
This clarification comes at a time when several carriers have significantly reduced capacity. According to the Financial Times, in the last few weeks alone, millions of seats have been removed from the schedule, in an attempt to adjust operations to rising energy costs. Still, Brussels maintains the position that commercial decisions cannot compromise passengers’ rights.
The law provides for situations in which there is no obligation to compensate, but these are restricted to events beyond the companies’ control. Examples include extreme weather conditions, security risks or political instability. In these cases, carriers can invoke extraordinary circumstances, as long as they can demonstrate that they had no way of avoiding the cancellation. Operating costs, even high ones, do not fall into this category.
New guidelines on the way
The European Commission is preparing to release additional guidance to clarify the application of the rules, in a context marked by geopolitical tensions and volatility in energy markets. The objective is to reinforce the interpretation of existing standards, without introducing exceptions that alleviate pressure on the sector.
Another relevant element are the so-called airport “slots”, which correspond to the take-off and landing times assigned to the companies.
The European Union maintains the requirement for minimum use of these rights. Otherwise, carriers may lose them, which limits the possibility of canceling flights for economic reasons without additional consequences.
Impact on tourism must be contained
Despite the reduction in flights on some routes, European authorities do not anticipate a significant impact on the tourist season.
The expectation is that tourism within Europe will compensate for any drops in the most affected connections, especially as the high season approaches.
In the end, the message from Brussels is direct: if the flight is canceled for reasons linked to the cost of fuel, the responsibility remains, and passengers continue to be protected by European rules.
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