+ Extraordinary Circumstances + Bad Weather + Strikes + Airlines * Recent flight delays -- * FAQ Industrial Strikes - Can You Claim Flight Compensation. Home // Claim Guides // Strikes Get Started -- Flying Flying Airline strikes are, at best, inconvenient. At their worst, they could upend all your plans or cost you and your loved ones considerable amounts of money. If your flight is delayed or cancelled due to strikes, you may be eligible for compensation. This is thanks to EU Reg 261 and UK equivalent (Flight Compensation Regulation), which protects passengers whose flights are delayed or cancelled. In this guide, we’ll discuss the different kinds of strikes affecting flights, your rights as a passenger, and what to do if your plans change. -- refunds/alternative routes. In the event of strikes, under EU Reg 261 and UK equivalent you could be eligible for a combination of: * Reasonable care and assistance -- Airport Airport What are my rights if I’m affected by wildcat strikes? Wildcat strikes gained widespread media attention in 2016 after a multi-million-pound case was brought to the European Court of Justice. The case, Helga Krüsemann and Others v TUIfly GmbH, ruled that passengers could now claim for cancellations or delays for “wildcat” strikes. The term “wildcat strike” refers to a strike launched by airline staff at the last minute, as opposed to a strike that has been planned in advance. -- Can you claim for a flight cancelled due to Air Traffic Control? The subject of Air Traffic Control strikes is a contentious one, with Air France strike compensation claims coming up time and again. In May 2019 alone, there were 5,000 flights affected by strikes. Strictly speaking, Air Traffic Control should not ground flights for -- However, this is not always the case. In the case of Air Traffic Control strikes, your rights to refunds and care and assistance would be the same. However, it’s unlikely you’ll receive any monetary compensation as the airline will deem this an -- What are my rights if there are airline crew strikes? According to the Civil Aviation Authority, you may be able to claim if airline employees call a strike. You will only be eligible for compensation if you meet the criteria of -- the EU or UK or arriving into the EU or UK on an EU or UK airline. With cancelled flights, you may only claim if you found out about the cancellation because of strikes less than two weeks before your flight. airport baggage truck airport baggage truck What are my rights if baggage handlers or airport staff strike? Flight strike compensation claims are very much dependent on who calls the strike. When it comes to baggage handlers or airport staff, the law is not 100% clear and it’s likely that these claims would need to go to court for a judge to decide. The airline may argue that these strikes are ‘extraordinary’ and refuse to pay compensation as a result. This can make it difficult for passengers to claim any monetary compensation, which is one of the -- What are my rights if my flights are delayed by strikes? Under EU Reg 261 and UK equivalent, you may be able to claim monetary -- risks. You may also be able to claim if a strike has a knock-on effect on your flight. For example, if a strike happened the day before your flight and was lifted the day after, you could claim compensation for any resulting delays. -- What are my rights if my flight is cancelled due to strikes? Your airline must offer you a full refund if your flight is cancelled, -- Again, you will not be able to claim monetary compensation for extraordinary circumstances. However, the European Court has ruled that strikes called by airline staff are within the airline’s control. Therefore, they should offer you monetary compensation in addition to the above. -- Airport terminal Airport terminal What should my airline do if a strike is imminent? It is your airline’s responsibility to notify you of imminent strikes as soon as possible. However, you can only make additional monetary claims if you find out less than 14 days in advance, and there are no -- What should I do if industrial action is planned? If you have written confirmation of a proposed strike, you should make the following arrangements: * Book a replacement flight: only do this if you have formal -- For example, if you booked you and your family a trip away for a wedding, and strikes meant it could not go ahead, the credit card company would be liable to pay all associated costs. Similarly, if you decide to buy a replacement flight, your credit card company can -- Contact Flight Patrol No passenger deserves to have his or her flight impacted by strikes. To find out how much compensation you could claim, contact Flight Patrol today.