Friday morning, January 10, 2025, at Warsaw Airport There was a major power failure that paralyzed the port. The problem with the method systems caused passengers to be delayed or cancelled from flights, causing chaos at the airport. Although the situation was rapidly contained and after 10:00 all departures and arrivals returned to normal, the question of whether passengers can claim compensation or another forms of compensation remains valid. We're looking at what travellers who have experienced delays or cancellations can expect.
What rights do passengers have?
Under European Union rules, passengers are entitled to compensation for delayed or cancelled flights, but they may not always search compensation. These rules are governed by Regulation No 261/2004 of the European Parliament, which aims to defend passengers in the event of delays, cancellations of flights and refusal to board aircraft.
In a situation where the flight is delayed by more than 2 hours, passengers are entitled to free meals and drinks, proportional to the waiting time. If the hold is more than 5 hours, passengers may search reimbursement of the ticket costs or offer an alternate way to the destination.
If the hold of landing at the destination exceeds 3 hours, passengers may claim compensation, which may be between 250 and 600 euros, depending on the dimension of the flight. For shorter flights (up to 1500 km), compensation amounts to EUR 250, for flights within the EU of more than 1500 km to EUR 400, and for another flights of more than 3,500 km to EUR 600.
When will passengers not receive compensation?
Not all hold or cancellation entitles a passenger to compensation. Under the rules, the carrier is not obliged to pay compensation if the hold or appeal is due to ‘extraordinary circumstances’. specified situations include, inter alia:
- Bad weatherthat prevent safe flight,
- Strikes airport or airline personnel,
- Technical problems independent of the carrier (e.g. hidden aircraft production defects),
- Air traffic restrictions, resulting from decisions by air traffic control authorities,
- Exceptional situations, specified as strategy failure, as happened on Okęcie.
In the event of a failure of power supply systems on the Okęcie, as was the case on January 7, 2025, there was a situation that could be considered extraordinary. Failures of this kind may be regarded as ‘force majeure’, meaning that in specified cases carriers do not gotta pay compensation due to the fact that they are independent of their actions.
When is it worth seeking compensation?
If the hold or cancellation is due to the carrier's fault, e.g. due to inadequate air traffic management or operational errors, passengers are full entitled to claim compensation. Moreover, if the failure was the consequence of airline negligence, specified as incorrect aircraft maintenance, compensation may be claimed.
How to claim compensation?
To search compensation, passengers should collect documentation on the situation, i.e. copies of the ticket, boarding cards, confirmation of the hold or cancellation of the flight. Then contact the carrier and make a formal complaint, indicating the circumstances of the incidental and indicating the claim for compensation.
It is besides worth remembering that there are companies that specialise in the recovery of compensation from carriers. They frequently offer assistance in redress, especially in situations where airlines effort to avoid compensation payments.
The power failure at Okęta Airport in Warsaw caused chaos which affected many passengers. Although the situation has been rapidly contained, passengers who have experienced hold or cancellation of the flight should be aware of their rights. Under the EU Regulation, they have the right to compensation, but only in cases where the hold or cancellation of the flight was not due to exceptional circumstances specified as power failure. Passengers who are in specified a situation should contact the carrier and search their claims.
Read more:
Big failure on Okęcie. What can passengers do to get compensation?
