Summer could be chaotic for air travelers
tourism
Experts warn of a chaotic holiday summer for air travelers. The confusion was announced on Sunday, when Eurowings flights canceled so spontaneously that tour operators were still looking for alternatives for passengers on Monday.
Staff shortages due to illness and the pandemic were the reasons for the cancellation of flights on Sunday, Eurowings writes in an official press release. On Monday, the airline also cited problems with personnel capacities as a reason for no longer responding to interview requests from ORF Salzburg. The question of how things will continue this summer also remains unanswered by Eurowings.
“You need strong nerves this summer”
The aviation expert Kurt Hofmann answers and promised a chaotic travel summer. After all, 67 percent of flights this year have already been delayed.
“It will probably be even more difficult this summer because there will be more flights. That’s the high season. People want to travel, which is understandable, and of course the airlines want to do business so that they can start again after two years of crisis – somehow. But there are not enough employees. Many people have left the industry, a lot has been reduced due to Corona and re-training now takes a while. You definitely need good nerves this summer,” says Hofmann.
Continue flight cancellations
Experts warn of a chaotic holiday summer for air travelers.
Travel providers continue to look for flight options
On Monday, only a part of it knows what will happen to the “stranded” passengers in Salzburg on Sunday. Those who booked through TUI flew on Monday morning from Munich to Calabria. Those who wanted to go to Corfu rebook whenever – according to TUI there is no replacement flight here. TUI is looking for alternatives for them, but passengers could also get their money back, says Thomas Flöckner, consumer advocate for the Salzburg Chamber of Labour.
“In that case, TUI has to refund the travel price and I have to see that I book another trip. But of course, these time expenditures and the stress are not compensated,” said Flöckner in the ORF interview. If there is a replacement and you are late for the planned vacation, the tour operator must reimburse the shortened vacation aliquot.
In addition, passengers are entitled to compensation if flights are canceled as spontaneously as at the weekend and are not replaced just as spontaneously. Depending on the flight route, this is 250 to 600 euros.