Lots of flights to Nice and Paris canceled today – What are your rights?

20 flights from Copenhagen to and from Nice and Paris with SAS, Norwegian and Air France, among others, have been canceled today. Yesterday, Thursday, there were a total of 13 flights.

According to Reuters, 300,000 travelers will be affected by the two-day strike, which means that up to 40 percent of all flights to and from France have been canceled. The cancellations are due to an air traffic controller strike in France.

Your rights during an air traffic controller strike

• Flight compensation

An air traffic controller strike is an “extraordinary circumstance” and therefore you are generally not entitled to flight compensation.

However, in the event of an air traffic controller strike, the airline has an obligation to get you there as soon as possible. This also means that the airline must re-route you to the next available flight – even if that flight is not on one of its own aircraft.

If you are not offered such a reasonable re-routing, you may be entitled to flight compensation, even if an air traffic controller strike is an “extraordinary circumstance”.

• Rebooking at the earliest opportunity

The airline has an obligation to help you get to your final destination – even if there are “extraordinary circumstances” such as an air traffic controller strike. If the airline fails to assist you, you have a claim for compensation against the airline.

You are entitled to recover your own reasonable costs for re-routing if the airline does not offer you a reasonable re-routing option. This applies regardless of whether the option you choose is by plane, train, bus or in a rented car.

In France, airspace capacity is limited these days due to the air traffic controller strike. For example, if you find a bus or rental car to take you from Paris to Nice, the airline will probably be obligated to cover the cost unless the airline itself has offered you a reasonable solution. Remember to keep receipts for all your expenses.

• Meals, hotel and transportation

Finally, you’re entitled to meals while you’re waiting to travel to your final destination. If the airline does not provide you with a reasonable amount of food and beverages, the airline is obligated to cover your expenses.

Therefore, remember to keep all receipts – regardless of whether they are for meals, hotel accommodation or, for example, taxis between the airport and any accommodation.

If you have any doubts about what you are entitled to, you are welcome to call us at: 33433333.