Delayed flights are a common phenomenon even in the biggest airports around for many reasons. From logistics to awful weather conditions and technical reasons, flight delays have significant contribution to most passengers missed schedules. There’s thus no gainsaying the fact that a compensation should be made in these situations. Sadly, however, this is sometimes difficult as not all airlines are mandated to compensate passengers or the process is just too herculean and sometimes, fruitless. Here are however steps to take in making a compensation claim if you experience a flight delay:
1. Contact the airline operator
The first thing to do is to contact your airline operator’s customer service department to lay claims for a compensation by stating correctly, your booking reference numbers, receipts, a copy of your ticket and other vital flight details. Remember that in some cases, the airline you booked may not have been the airline you flew, in which case your claim should be filed to the one you flew with. Don’t forget to also keep a reference copy with you in case proceedings are stalled or any glitch is experienced along the line.
2. Reach the aviation authority
It is important to note that swiftness of response to your claim differ from one airline to another due to the circumstance that occasioned the delay as well as fullness of the information you provided in your complaint. While some may be proactive and attend to your request, it is not unusual that you may not receive your claim in due time or simply have your case unattended to. If all efforts on your part seem futile, then the next thing you should do is reach out to the local or regional aviation authorities whose regulations are binding on the airline you flew and state your complaints to them. They are more likely to elicit a swift response from your airline operators and expedite your compensation.
3. Head to Court
In some rare cases, your compensation request may not be treated despite haven taken the aforementioned steps. If you are sure you gave the right information and are legally entitled to a compensation by the airline operator for the delay, then as a final resort, you may need to go to court with your relevant details and inform of the steps you’ve hitherto taken. Your complaint should be effectively treated in court without needing a lawyer if your case is well stated.
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