There is a big difference between reimbursement and compensation (or compensation), so much so that passengers left stranded due to the stoppage of flights in the USA (only recently revoked), can have a refund of tickets for canceled flights, but are not entitled to any compensation for the related inconveniences. This is because flights were blocked due to a fault not attributable to individual airlines.
What happened in the USA
Almost 5,000 flights in the United States were canceled on Friday 13 November, with further repercussions also today 14 November, due to a serious problem with the communication systems used by air traffic controllers.
The stop was lifted after more than four hours, but the inconveniences also continue on international connections. And normality still seems far away. The Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy he explained that the problem affected radar systems and communications between control towers and aircraft.
In particular, some network equipment would have been overloaded with data, making the system overall unreliable. And without a solid communications network, planes cannot fly due to obvious safety concerns.
Chaos broke out at US airports: numerous passengers remained on board the planes waiting for directions, while others were forced to get off after having already completed boarding operations. Particularly complicated situations were reported at the airport O’Hare in Chicagowhere runway and gate congestion even hindered the return of planes to the terminals.
The rights of passengers stranded
Many passengers, evidently, have suffered not only the cancellation of flights, but also enormous inconvenience, sometimes having to face additional expenses such as unexpected overnight stays, more or less simple non-air transport to other destinations, but also, “simply”, improvised meals.
Yet all this may not be rewarded, as the stop to flights was determined by causes not attributable to individual airlines, which in the USA are not required to provide compensation (even if some have nevertheless committed to providing assistance). But they are still required to refund, or reschedule without further charges, canceled flights.
European legislation, however, provides greater protection for users: a situation like this could still exempt airlines from extra compensation, but the obligation of assistance, which includes meals and drinks and, when necessary, even hotel accommodation, would remain valid.
