In which situations can you get Air Serbia strike compensation?
Many passengers are unaware that strikes are not always considered extraordinary circumstances. If the Air Serbia crew (excluding airport staff) goes on strike, causing flight delays or cancellations, travellers may be eligible to claim flight compensation from Air Serbia. You can make this claim on your own or with the assistance of a flight compensation company.
Check your compensation online.
1. Air Serbia Strike Compensation
The criteria to qualify for Air Serbia strike compensation are pretty simple.
The flight must have been either delayed or cancelled:
- The flight delay must be a minimum of 3 hours, calculated from when the aeroplane doors are opened at the destination, allowing passengers to leave. If there’s a delay of 3 or more hours beyond the anticipated arrival time, travellers may be eligible for flight delay compensation.
- The flight cancellation must be last-minute. A last-minute flight cancellation is when your flight is cancelled up to 14 days prior to the departure date. If that’s the case, you may be entitled to Air Serbia flight cancellation compensation (in addition to Air Serbia refund for cancellation).
In essence, it’s not a specific compensation for Air Serbia strikes (such compensations don’t exist in Europe), but rather compensation for delays or cancellations.
These rules are applicable to all Air Serbia flights within, to and from Europe.
What happens if you miss your connecting flight due to a flight delay or cancellation?
Air Serbia is committed to ensuring that you reach your destination, even in the event of a missed connection. They offer a complimentary rebooking service in such instances. Also, you have a right to care, and, under certain conditions, compensation for missed connecting flights.
Check your compensation online.
By Europe and EU here on this page (and on this website in general) we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
1.1 Extraordinary Circumstances
Remember, airline employee strikes do not fall under the extraordinary circumstances category.
Similarly, technical issues or staffing shortages are not considered extraordinary circumstances.
Sometimes, airlines may claim that a delay or cancellation is due to extraordinary circumstances, even when it’s not the case. If you experience a flight delay or cancellation, it’s advised to contact the airline for clarification.
Airlines might assert that a flight delay or cancellation was due to extraordinary circumstances, even if it wasn’t, to avoid compensation payouts. This is because airlines prefer extraordinary circumstances since it exempts them from paying compensation. Hence, it is suggested to double-check the information given by the airline before accepting it.
Read more:
- Your Air Serbia Refund Is Taking Forever. What Can You Do About It?
- Your Air Serbia Compensation Claim Is Denied. Now What?
1.2 Right to Care
If you find yourself facing a lengthy delay, you have a right to care.
This grants you access to certain free services. For example, if your wait at the airport extends beyond three hours, you could be provided with a free meal and drink. If the delay goes on for over three hours during the night, you might be entitled to free accommodation and transfers to and from the airport.
If you haven’t been offered any assistance, please get in touch with the Air Serbia representatives present at the airport.
2. How to Claim Air Serbia Strike Compensation?
There are two methods to request strike compensation from Air Serbia.
If you wish to claim Air Serbia strike compensation on your own, you can get in touch directly with Air Serbia through their website and ask for compensation via their customer care team. However, this method can be lengthy and might require some negotiation to come to a satisfactory agreement.
The easiest alternative is to seek professional legal help.
To avoid any inconvenience, you can hire a legal expert to handle your case. Many firms in Europe specialise in assisting passengers with flight-related compensation, taking care of all the necessary details on your behalf. All you need to do is complete one compensation claim form. Our partners provide such services.
Check your compensation online.
When choosing this option, here is all you will have to do:
And that’s it — the rest is handled by professionals.
* Your boarding pass and passport or ID copy.
Read more: How to Claim Air Serbia Compensation?
2.1 How Long Does It Take?
What can you expect in terms of a timeframe for receiving compensation?
Typically, the process can range from 2-3 months. Recently, however, there have been instances where the process has taken longer, particularly if you are claiming independently and the airline decides to reject your claim.
This isn’t a quick process, so don’t be caught off guard if it takes a while.
3. How Much Can You Claim?
How much is the Air Serbia strike compensation?
The amounts claimable as compensation are pre-determined and range from €250 to €600.
These figures are stipulated by EU regulations. Here is how you can determine the potential amount of your compensation:
When your destination is within the EU/UK:
€250
If the distance of your flight is
up to 1,500 km
€400
If the distance of your flight is between 1,500 – 3,500 km
When your destination is outside the EU/UK:
€250
If the distance of your flight is
up to 1,500 km
€400
If the distance of your flight is between 1,500 – 3,500 km
€600
If the distance of your flight is more than 3,500 km
3.1 Air Serbia Voucher Refund or Cash?
Several airlines, including Air Serbia, offer vouchers as a means of compensation.
Airlines usually prefer this approach because it is more economically viable for them compared to cash refunds or compensations. However, passengers have the right to decline the voucher and request a cash or bank transfer refund instead. According to EU legislation, all compensation and refunds from airlines should be provided in the form of cash or bank transfers. It is important to always insist on receiving your compensation in this manner.
Air Serbia Strike Compensation: FAQ
My flight was cheap. Will it affect my chances of getting compensation?
No, because the price of the ticket doesn’t matter.
The price also doesn’t affect the compensation amount.
If you are entitled to compensation of €600, you will get it even if your ticket was cheap.
Do I need travel insurance to claim compensation?
No, you don’t.
You can claim compensation even if you don’t have insurance. According to European regulations, every passenger whose flight has been heavily delayed can get compensation. As long as it’s a delay of at least 3 hours, and it’s due to the fault of the airline. It doesn’t matter if you have insurance or not.
Can my child/baby get compensation from Air Serbia?
Yes, of course.
The age of the passenger doesn’t matter. Children and babies can get compensation, too. Even infants who travel with a special infant ticket. If you are entitled to compensation of 600 euro, your child/baby will be too.
Can I claim compensation for another person?
Yes, you can.
Even if you weren’t on that flight yourself.
You can claim compensation for your friend, relative or family member as long as they provide you with a copy of their passport and boarding pass, and sign any documents Air Serbia/flight compensation company might ask to sign.
How far back can I claim compensation?
It depends on the laws of the country.
In many countries in Europe, the deadline is 2-3 years.
If your disrupted flight was 2-3 years ago, you might still be able to claim compensation for it.
What to do if Air Serbia is refusing to pay compensation?
Air Serbia is refusing to pay compensation even though you are entitled to it.
What to do in such a situation? The best way is to hand over your case to a flight compensation company. They will continue compensation claim process on your behalf. You won’t need to deal with the airline anymore.
Alternatively, you may contact the respective national enforcement body and ask them to help solve your case. There are national enforcement bodies in all the EU Member states.
EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists
I’m flying to the EU from a country outside the EU. Can I get compensation?
If you’re flying with Air Serbia then yes, you can.
You are protected on all Air Serbia flights. Even if it’s a flight to the EU from a country outside the EU. All thanks to European laws (EU Flight Compensation Regulation 261/2004 and the Regulation UK261).
I’m flying from the EU to a country outside the EU. Can I get compensation?
With Air Serbia you can.
I am not a European. Can I get compensation?
Yes. All passengers in Europe are protected under the law.
Other Situations
Air Serbia provided me with a free hotel room and a free flight to my destination. Can I still get compensated for the delay?
Yes.
In Europe, passengers have a right to receive care from the airline no matter the reason for delay. If a flight is cancelled, affected passengers are entitled to a new flight, too.
And if your flight is eligible for compensation, it doesn’t matter if you received these services. You will get compensation anyway.
Air Serbia took me to my destination. Can I still get compensation?
You might.
As long as your flight is eligible for compensation.
Accepting a free flight doesn’t affect your chances of getting compensation.
Have you ever had an experience with Air Serbia strike compensation or flight refund? Do you still have questions about Air Serbia compensation policies? Ask in the comments.