Airlines still have to pay compensation if flights cancelled due to fuel crisis, EU says

From the article: ‘Airlines that cancel flights because of fuel shortages this summer will still have to compensate passengers under European law, the EU transport commissioner has said. Apostolos Tzitzikostas told the Financial Times that jet fuel prices or shortages do not meet the criteria that protect EU airlines from passenger claims. “The price of jet fuel is the reason why we have cancellations of flights and if they cancel flights without extraordinary circumstances – jet fuel prices are not extraordinary circumstances – they will have to reimburse the people,” the commissioner said.’

Good. airlines will find any excuse to dodge paying people back

It would be insane if they didn't, no cost operating the flights, so why wouldn't you. I have 2.1k in 4 flights, let's hopes this shit gets fixed.

To be fair, they dont even pay compensation now. They drag it out and deny everything, citing technical/safety issues and referring to fineprint making claims ineligible

While do I feel the headline would be so much different if it said USA vs EU.

As opposed to what, cancel the flight and say sorry too bad? They really need to get their shit together. If the airline cancels it, refund the money. If the passenger cancels it, partial refund. And stop over booking!

Oh, to live in a part of the world with a real government.

Does this apply to the UK? Or is this another "brexit benefit"

Well duh, they're not getting what they paid for? Why wouldn't they get refunds for a cancelled flight? The airline shouldn't pocket the money??? Hello??

We DO KNOW that airlines generally require payment well in advance to reserve a seat on a plane... carriers providing reliable transportation is the fundamental bargain they make when they take your money for a ticket - especially when they take it in advance. There is absolutely no more fundamental rule here than this: >If you don't fly me as agreed, you cannot keep my money! ... any other outcome is simply stealing.

Most airlines are cancelling flights citing War as the cause. Which isn’t covered under compensation guidelines.

As opposed to just stealing the money? This is like saying the sun will rise tomorrow as well

I'm flying with Easyjet next month. I can see them trying to wriggle out of paying any sort of compensation if they cancel my flight.

Airline companies have using for decades a supply-and-demand algorithm to put dynamic prices on the tickets, greatly increasing the price of a plane ticket when people buy the ticket days before the flight happens. As a result of this, most people nowadays will buy their tickets months in advance to get cheaper flights. However the costs - the salaries of the pilot, the co-pilot, the flight comissionairs, the food, the taxes for airport use, etc, of a flight happening right now in May 2026 are only be paid ... well, in May. But airline companies have getting this flight money since late 2025 at least and will lend this money to financial and be paid interest. And actually airlines nowadays get a lot of their annual profits by interest. Now, the problem of such a system of getting paid in advance and generating revenue from interest is that if a major cost greatly increases, companies can't just retroactively charge their consumers with higher prices to cover the cost. Basic contract law. The companies involved must either provide the service that was contracted upon, even if it comes as a loss, or pay their consumers not only the price of their tickets but some compensation as well. Seeing how airline companies "are too big to let fall" and got bailed out by the public budget during the pandemic, unfortunately I expect the same will happen this time.

I imagine you can hedge all you want but if there is no physical fuel available, you can’t fly.

I assume that this is why some are cancelling far enough in advance that they don't have to compensate; if things start to get worked out they can always reinstate flight s**** and just charge more for a seat on the new flight. They have to refund ticket price paid but they aren't into having to sort alternative flights or put people up in hotels or feed them at airports.

American Govt: Lol! Have you even said Thank You.

I mean... No duh? Who thinks airlines should keep money that they didn't end up providing the service for?

What of cancelled due to Hantavirus?

What about Hantavirus outbreaks?

Airlines operate on thin margins. How long before the fuel crisis bankrupts every airline?