Nearly all flights cancelled at Düsseldorf and Cologne airports due to strike
These are your rights as a passenger.
A 24-hour strike will disrupt air traffic at Düsseldorf and Cologne airports on Monday 24 February. This was announced on Friday after negotiations on the public sector wage agreement stalled.
Who will be on strike on Monday?
Check-in staff, ground handlers and loading and unloading staff are on strike. In Cologne, the strike began on Sunday evening, while in Düsseldorf work will be suspended from Monday morning. The unions are demanding a pay rise, three extra days’ holiday and higher allowances for stressful jobs.
Alternative flight or money back
Many Dutch people fly from Cologne or Düsseldorf to all parts of the world. Not surprisingly, this can save hundreds of euros. But what happens if your flight is cancelled because of the strike? The airline has to offer you an alternative flight. Don’t want to accept? If you do, you are entitled to a refund of the cost of your ticket. If you then book a similar ticket yourself and there is an additional cost, you can claim the difference back from the airline of your original flight.
No further compensation
The strike is considered an extraordinary circumstance: it is force majeure for the airline. As a result, you are not entitled to any further financial compensation from the airline. However, you are entitled to assistance, such as food, drink or hotel accommodation. If the airline does not provide this assistance and you are forced to meet these costs yourself, our advice is to keep all receipts. If your additional expenses exceed €250, we can help you claim them back.
Written by Fleur
Fleur is a junior marketer at EUclaim. She combines her innovative insights with a passion for passenger rights.
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