COUNTLESS British and other non Greek-speaking holidaymakers in Cyprus are at a disadvantage compared to locals if their flight is cancelled.
More than two weeks ago the European Commission launched an initiative requiring EU members to inform airline passengers of their entitlements to
compensation.
Cyprus’s Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) has published free information leaflets in Greek and English that are available at Larnaca and Paphos
airports.
“Both airports have full information leaflets throughout,” said Adamos Aspris of Hermes, which operates the airports at Larnaca and Paphos.
But most travellers these days rely on the Internet.
And valuable information about the Europe-wide scheme on the DCA’s website is currently only in Greek – even though Cyprus’ faltering tourism
industry is sustained mainly by more than a million British arrivals a year. Russians and German holidaymakers also help propel the vital sector.
The DCA’s director insisted yesterday that its website will be updated. “We will be making plans to include an English translation,” Leonidas
Leonidou told the Cyprus Mail.
Easy access to the information is vital because complaints about a cancelled flight or luggage lost or damaged must be lodged with the relevant
local aviation authority.
The EC launched its initiative in Brussels on June 29 in response to the huge disruption of flights across Europe earlier this year caused by
clouds of ash from a volcanic eruption in Iceland.
Ten million passengers were affected – but many missed out on compensation because they were unaware of their rights.
In the case of a cancelled flight, passengers could be entitled to as much as €600 in compensation from the airline, which must also provide
essential care and support including food, telephone access and, if necessary, a hotel room.
Carriers must also offer a choice between full reimbursement of a ticket or re-routing a passenger to his final destination.
The same rights apply to flights delayed by more than five hours and airlines can be held liable for damages and losses suffered as a result of
delays or cancellations.
Compensation of up to €1,220 is available for baggage that has been lost, damaged or delayed, as long as claims are lodged within a week of
flying.
However, airlines can avoid paying out if they can prove that the damage was not sustained due to negligence on their part.
The compensation rises to €1,300 per item if the luggage is lost on any part of the EU’s extensive rail network.
Legislation protecting those with disabilities and reduced mobility has been in place since 2007, but is only now becoming public knowledge under
the new EC scheme.
People with such afflictions are entitled to receive assistance at every stage of travel, from airport staff in transit, on arrival and during
boarding, as well as from airlines themselves during the flight.
The first action to take if you feel your passenger rights have been neglected is to inform the airline.
If their response is unsatisfactory, report all issues to the National Enforcement Body of the country in which the incident occurred – which in
Cyprus is the DCA in Nicosia.
EC Commissioner for Transport Siim Kallas is optimistic that this campaign will improve the experience of air and rail transport for all EU
citizens.
He said of the programme: “We want to make it as easy as possible for them (Europeans) to travel, knowing they have rights and how to get support
in claiming them if they need to.”
To read the details on passenger rights in full visit the DCA website at www.mcw.gov.cy. Until an updated English translation is made the same
guidelines can be found from the UK Civil Aviation Authority at www.caa.co.uk.
