Air Serbia announced that it is forced to reorganize and optimize traffic in its network of destinations in the coming period.
More precisely, they will be forced to delay and cancel certain flights, which was not stated in those words in the announcement that the company sent to everyone.
As they stated in the announcement, they decided on this move due to the combined effect of a number of unfavorable factors, primarily the later entry into the fleet of certain aircraft that were planned, as well as the later withdrawal of several aircraft from operations due to the slowed supply chain of spare parts at the global level , and to phase delays due to major problems of individual airports with their personnel, unfavorable weather conditions and consequent loss of slots.
What does "traffic reorganization" mean?
"Taking into account the mentioned factors, in the coming days there may be a change in the type of aircraft that is planned for the flight, delays and even cancellations of certain flights." However, the competent services of the Serbian national airline are continuously adjusting the traffic to the existing resources so that there are as few deviations as possible and that the traffic is carried out as much as possible in accordance with the planned flight schedule", said the airline.
They added that Air Serbia is doing everything in its power to normalize traffic as soon as possible and that they apologize to all passengers who were or will be affected by possible changes in the type of aircraft or deviations from the planned flight schedule.
Passengers from those flights will be informed about possible changes in the flight order of certain flights via e-mail or SMS messages, or through their travel agents, if they bought tickets from them.
For more information, passengers are asked to call the Contact Center of Air Serbia at 0800/111528 from Serbia, and +381113112123 from abroad, to visit the website airserbia.com or company pages on social networks.
During the weekend, Air Serbia canceled several flights to Athens, Vienna, Stuttgart, Salzburg, Prague and Thessaloniki. Twitter users write that flights to Ljubljana, Bucharest, Larnaca, Tirana, Sofia and Tel Aviv have also been cancelled, but there is no information about this on the website of the Belgrade airport.
What are the rights of passengers in case of flight cancellation?
If the flight is cancelled, delayed or passengers are denied boarding, they have the right to one or two types of compensation - a refund and compensation for damages, explained Jovan Ristić, lawyer of the "Effectiva" consumer association.
"If the flight is canceled due to weather conditions, security at the airport or other reasons beyond the control of the airline, passengers have the right to a refund or a replacement flight," Ristic told BBC in Serbian.
Ristić then emphasized that the passenger has the right to choose between an alternative flight and a refund.
"It often happens that airlines offer a replacement flight, without presenting that there is an option to return the money," he said.
If the airline cancels the flight less than two weeks before the trip, and for reasons that it can influence, passengers have the right to be paid, in addition to the money for the ticket, compensation for damages.
What does the rulebook say?
According to the Rulebook on the right of passengers, in the case of denied boarding, flight cancellations and long flight delays, passengers are entitled to compensation in the amount of:
1) 250 euros for all flights with a length of 1.500 kilometers or less;
2) 400 euros for all flights within the EU, longer than 1.500 kilometers and for all other flights between 1.500 and 3.500 kilometers in length;
3) 600 euros for all other flights
If flights are delayed by more than two hours, passengers are entitled to a meal, drinks and hotel accommodation.
If the flight is up to 1.500 kilometers long and is delayed by more than two hours, the airline is obliged to provide passengers with meals and refreshments, according to the Rulebook on Passenger Rights.
He is also obliged to provide them with two phone calls or SMS and email messages.
In case of a delay of at least one day, the air carrier is obliged to provide passengers with hotel accommodation and transportation from the airport to the place of accommodation.
If passengers want to exercise these rights, the first step is to file a complaint with the airline.
It is best that they file a complaint themselves, because the agencies take about 50 percent of the compensation that the travelers would have received.
I.Đ./N1/BBC in Serbian
Read daily news, analysis, commentary and interviews at www.vreme.com
