Airline Transavia must give passengers their money back on canceled flights, offer a flight on the same day or let them choose at which other time they want to fly, says the airline. Consumers Association Friday. Now the options are money back or a flight after the summer and that is contrary to European rules.
Transavia will cancel 240 flights between July 7 and August 14, the airline announced earlier this week. That is about 10 percent of the flights that Transavia would have departed from Amsterdam airport during that period. Affected passengers will be given the options to request their money back or to fly after the summer.
“Transavia says that it cannot offer everyone a replacement flight. But it does not inform its customers about the possibility of proposing another flight themselves, if necessary from another airline. This way many people can still get to their holiday destination,” says Transavia. Consumers’ Association director Sandra Molenaar.
The European rules on passenger rights require that travelers with a canceled flight can choose whether they want their money back, take a flight on the same day or take a flight at a different time of their choosing. If Transavia cannot take care of this itself, it can also be done through another company and Transavia has to pay the extra costs.
Transavia is canceling the flights at Schiphol’s request, because the airport is struggling with staff shortages during the summer months. EasyJet is also canceling flights. KLM will continue to fly the same amount, but will sell fewer tickets in July and August.
Transavia could not yet be reached for comment.
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