“We work all year round for our vacation and then that … We must not abuse. Joanne contacted us via the orange button alert us, she is rebellious. It must be said that his Wednesday evening at Charleroi airport was “chaotic”.
She says: “We arrived at the airport 3 hours in advance, as advised by the company. First, the flight was delayed and then, 30 minutes before the departure time, we were told that the plane would not take off, that the flight to Brindisi was canceled. »»
And this is only the beginning, according to the words of our interlocutor: “We went to collect our suitcases, as if we landed and we were directed to the entrance hall where we were supposed to give us more information. But in fact, in the entrance hall, there were four hours of line to go to desk (Registration window). »»
“At my expense”
Joanne does not takeoff: “We had no information, we were left to stand up like livestock without a glass of water. I went home at an o’clock in the morning. “She describes this moment as” a particularly trying experience “. The worst for the holidaymaker: “When I finally passed, there were no more flights available before July 7, 5 days after the scheduled departure. »»
Almost half of Joanne’s family vacation is “lost”: “The rental on site is at my expense, the more the shuttle that came to pick us up at the airport. Our alerthouse asked to push back her return flight as a commercial gesture, to no avail: “I was told that the additional costs would amount to € 800. »»
The strike of French sharpeners in question
Two unions of French heaven with a strike called on strike on Thursday and Friday, to protest in particular against their working conditions. Even if Joanne’s theft was planned the day before this important mobilization, it is the latter which is in question, assures Ryanair, contacted by us.
As for the late announcement of the cancellation of the flight, the company makes no comments. Nathalie Pierard, spokesperson for Brussels South Charleroi Airport, says that “the airport did not know it before”: “We received the information at 9:15 pm, it was decided very late. »»
If she does not know the exact reason for this late decision, she explains that the cancellation is generally “the very last resort” for the companies. She adds that it is “difficult to anticipate” such situations. The strike of French air controllers does not only have an impact on planes at the start or to France and all French airports are not impacted in the same way.
3 flights canceled
The airport spokesperson explains that three flights were canceled on Wednesday evening, which explains the abnormally long line at desk.
As for Joanne’s new departure date, she underlines that this is a recurring problem for companies: “Flights are often filled with the margins of rebooking are very low. »»
Exceptional circumstances
To better understand what the rights of passengers are in the event of cancellation of a flight, we contacted will. “They are entitled to an alternative flight or a refund of their ticket,” we are told.
There is also a lump sum compensation which goes from 250 to 600 euros depending on the distance traveled “except in the event of extraordinary circumstances”. And this is where it gets stuck for Joanne and the other passengers of the Charleroi – Brindisi flight: “A strike is considered an extraordinary circumstance, no additional compensation is due. »»
Joanne still plans to introduce a file for complaint, although she knows that there is little chance that he succeeds. In the meantime, for lack of solution, it will be satisfied with the flight postponed to July 7 to take advantage of the Puglia sun.
