Several strike threats overshadow summer flights.
If your trip is cancelled, it can be difficult to get the money back – but there are exceptions.
– It can be worthwhile to make demands on the package travel organizer, says consumer advisor Maria Wiezell.
The airplane chaos risks being even worse this year than last summer, when many departures had to be cancelled. This when the Transport Workers’ Union has announced a strike because they do not agree on the guarding and security agreement with the counterparty on the employer’s side, Almega Säkerhetsföretagen.
The strike can mean both long queues and canceled flights – and if you miss your trip, it is not certain that you will be compensated, says Maria Wiezell.
– Normally, you have the right to either be rebooked or get your money back if it is the airline’s staff who are on strike, but here it is not the airline’s staff who are on strike. If it’s a regular regular trip, then it’s very difficult to get compensation if you don’t go, she says.
The exception
However, there is an exception: if you have booked a package tour.
– Then it may be that you have a greater opportunity because then the organizer is responsible for the entire package. So then it might be worthwhile to make demands against the package travel organizer, even if it is staff at the airport who have gone on strike, says Maria Wiezell.
During the covid-19 pandemic, many flights were canceled and several airlines also went bankrupt. For customers who were offered vouchers, or credit receipts, there was then no compensation.
The Swedish Consumer Agency wants protection and the travel guarantee to be strengthened, and is therefore proposing a government investigation.
– It is a very important thing that is proposed, that these vouchers should also be covered by the guarantee, says Maria Wiezell.
A notice in three phases
The warning is structured in several phases. First up are Bromma and Landvetter on July 3, where the security checkpoint will be closed.
On July 5, Arlanda will have its turn, as the strike notice will be extended if an agreement is not reached before then. There, goods controls, X-ray machines and gate receptions will be unmanned.
It could hypothetically result in it not being possible to bring larger bags on board, which in itself cannot be a reason to be reimbursed, the consumer advisor believes.
– Unless it’s a package trip, say a golf trip, and you don’t get your golf equipment. But the usual thing then is that you get to travel and then buy or rent equipment on the spot, says Maria Wiezell and gives tips on how to prepare:
– You should make sure that you do not pack essential items in your luggage that you intend to check in, but travel light and carry the essentials with you in your hand luggage