Your Aegean Airlines compensation claim has been denied.
This can be particularly exhausting when you are doing it on your own. You have filed a claim for Aegean Airlines compensation by yourself and aren’t completely certain if you’re justified to receive compensation. So, what’s the next step? Is it even worth the effort? Absolutely, it is. You could assign the claim to a flight compensation company to proceed on your behalf.
Yet, that’s not the only alternative.
You can continue to assert your rights independently.
Your Aegean Airlines Compensation Claim Has Been Denied. What’s Next?
There are additional methods to secure compensation from Aegean Airlines. But, before progressing further, it’s vital to re-examine the regulations and understand your rights.
1. Collaborating With Flight Compensation Firms
The most straightforward approach is to collaborate with a flight compensation firm.
Your responsibilities are to complete an online form, submit copies of your passport and boarding pass, and sign the claim. Generally, you don’t need to stress over anything else. The firm handles the rest. You no longer need to engage with Aegean Airlines. The firm submits your Aegean Airlines compensation claim and does the rest of the job.
If there are any further queries, something that only you can respond to, the flight compensation company will reach out to you. The only downside is the service charges. The majority of flight compensation firms charge about 25-45% of the compensation.
Our partners provide such services.
When choosing this option, here is all you will have to do:
And that’s it — the rest is handled by professionals.
* Your boarding pass and passport or ID copy.
How much does it cost?
Usually, the fee makes up around 25 to 35 per cent of the compensation. The balance is sent to you. If you don’t get compensation, you won’t be charged.
Read more:
- How to Claim Aegean Airlines Compensation?
- Your Aegean Airlines Refund Is Taking Forever. What Can You Do About It?
2. Reaching Out to the NEB of the Country of Your Flight’s Origin
Collaborating with a flight compensation firm isn’t the sole option.
Reaching out to the NEB (National Enforcement Bodies) is the next move after you have attempted to contact the airline independently and received either a rejection or no response.
It’s free of charge. However, it’s not as simple as collaborating with a flight compensation firm, and it can be time-consuming. Typically, it takes at least 2 months for them to process your compensation request. The major drawback — a positive response to your request doesn’t assure that you will receive compensation. Aegean Airlines may still refuse the request.
You can locate a list of the National Enforcement Bodies here.
The National Enforcement Bodies assist passengers in the event of denied boarding, flight delay or cancellation, as well as enforces the regulation Regulation (EC) 261/2004 and makes sure passengers are treated according to these rules.
3. Taking the Case to Court
The subsequent step is to bring it to court.
It’s strongly recommended to wait for an affirmative ruling from the NEB first. Having it will greatly aid your case against the airline (Aegean Airlines in this case).
It is the most complicated option, but it is also very efficient. Prior to bringing your complaint to court, confirm the validity of your claim. Re-examine your rights and construct your argument. Only then can you be certain that taking it to court is worthwhile. If you possess a verdict from the NEB confirming your entitlement to compensation, attach it to your court documents.
Remember, taking your complaint to court will cost you.
Extraordinary Circumstances
Frequently, airlines do not provide a clear explanation for denying your claim.
They usually give broad and generic reasons, leaving it at that.
One of their favourite terms to use is “extraordinary circumstances”.
The explanation behind this is straightforward – compensating passengers doesn’t contribute to the airlines’ profits. That’s why airlines are keen to evade compensation payouts.
They are well aware that the majority of passengers aren’t informed about their rights, and airlines exploit this to their advantage. So, it’s advisable to approach this term with a hint of doubt the next time you come across it.
In accordance with EU regulation 261/2004, airlines are exempt from compensating passengers when the disruption results from extraordinary circumstances. These circumstances encompass severe weather conditions, airport staff strikes (not airline staff strikes), and hidden manufacturing defects.
That’s correct, only hidden manufacturing defects fall under the category of extraordinary circumstances. The majority of technical issues are deemed the airline’s responsibility. The same applies to Aegean Airlines staff strikes – they are considered airline’s responsibility.
Moreover, adverse weather conditions aren’t always considered an extraordinary circumstance. In certain instances, the weather can be entirely expected. For instance — snowfall during the winter season (unless snow is a rarity in the region). In such situations, airlines are expected to take the necessary steps to ensure the flight is operated on schedule.
Find out the actual cause of the flight delay or cancellation.
It is important.
When Are You Eligible For Flight Compensation From Aegean Airlines?
There are a few specific circumstances where you have the right to lay a claim for flight compensation. These situations encompass flight delays, cancellations, and denied boarding (but only when it’s due to overbooking).
1. Flight Delays
As per EU regulation 261/2004, you stand to receive compensation if your flight lands at the destination with a delay exceeding three hours.
The compensation that can be claimed depends on the extent of the delay and the distance of the flight. To illustrate, a delay of four hours on a short-haul Aegean Airlines flight, from Athens to Larnaca, which is less than 1,500km, makes you eligible for a compensation of €250.
Read more: Aegean Airlines Flight Delay Compensation
2. Flight Cancellations
In the event of your flight being cancelled without a minimum advance notice of 14 days, you qualify for compensation.
The compensation amount is determined by the distance of your flight and the level of delay in arriving at your final destination.
For example, if an Aegean Airlines flight from Thessaloniki to London, a journey of more than 1,500km, is cancelled without adequate notice and you reach your final destination more than three hours late due to a replacement flight, your entitled compensation is €400. You may also opt for Aegean Airlines refund and get both – refund and compensation.
Read more: Aegean Airlines Flight Cancellation Compensation
3. Denied Boarding Due to Overbooking
Airlines occasionally overbook flights in anticipation of some passengers not turning up. If you are denied boarding because of overbooking and you did not voluntarily surrender your seat, you are eligible for compensation.
The compensation amount is based on the distance of the flight.
For instance, if you are on an Aegean Airlines flight from Heraklion to Rome, classified as medium distance between 1,500km and 3,500km, and you are denied boarding due to overbooking, if you reach your final destination more than three hours late, you are entitled to €400 in compensation.
Read more: Aegean Airlines Denied Boarding Compensation
What is your experience with Aegean Airlines compensation claims? Do you have a first-hand experience of denied Aegean Airlines compensation claim? Did you take the case to NEB or court?