Airplanes are among the most preferred means of transportation today.. The number of passengers is constantly increasing, with the number of airline companies increasing day by day and cheap flight ticket opportunities.. Thanks to the investments made, the services offered, state-of-the-art aircraft, different routes, in-flight refreshments, shopping stores and cafes at the airports make the airline more attractive.. However, sometimes these are not enough to satisfy the passengers.
Delays and flight cancellations, especially in summer seasons, can overshadow all these investments.. Passengers who have been waiting at the airport for hours or whose flight has been canceled complain about this situation.. Due to these disruptions, the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (SHGM) warns passengers to seek their rights.
Passenger Rights in Cancellation of Flight Tickets
1. All passengers can enjoy the same rights
General Directorate of Civil Aviation is reminding passengers of their rights by issuing a “Passenger Rights Implementation Circular” due to delays and flight ticket cancellations.. The circular published due to flight density, insufficient infrastructure at airports and problems arising from companies includes legislation within the scope of passenger rights.. However, despite the active implementation of this legislation, it can be confusing for airline companies to implement different practices on some issues.
According to the circular of the DGCA, all passengers have the same right.. This shows that passengers who travel for free, who have discounted tickets that are not directly or indirectly open to the public, and every passenger who buys a ticket with miles or points have the same rights as passengers who fly for a fee. or other reasons, it should not be considered as a state of emergency, and service should be provided if passengers are kept waiting on the plane for 2 hours or more. Likewise, if the tariff changes are notified in less than 2 weeks, the flight must be evaluated within the framework of the cancellation provisions and the passenger grievance must be covered by the airline company.. In addition to these, it is stated that in the event of a flight cancellation, the passenger should be transferred to the appropriate date without any day restrictions in the proposed route change, according to the available seat availability, without charge.
2. System failure is not an excuse
According to the published circular, passenger grievances caused by system and personnel errors, problems arising from agency or sales office or customer service should also be resolved by airline companies.
Delays of 5 hours or more for flights shorter than 1,500 km and 7.5 hours for flights between 1500-3500 km are considered flight cancellations, without any compelling reason. Likewise, on flights with a flight duration of 4 hours or more and flights longer than 3,500 km, twice the duration of the flight and more are considered as cancellation of the flight. need. It is stated that all services under the heading of flight cancellation should be provided to passengers who miss their continuation flight due to the delay of one of their connecting flights without force majeure.. In addition, compensation is paid to these passengers within the scope of flight cancellation.
In case of delay or cancellation of the flight, or when changes are made that require overnight accommodation, the airline company offers the passengers the right to stay at a hotel or a suitable accommodation facility, and the transfer process is completed. needs to provide. This accommodation service is provided to elderly, sick and disabled passengers during the daytime.. If the airline companies are unable to provide service due to force majeure, the passenger must pay the cost incurred if they present reasonable food, beverage and accommodation invoices.
3. You have the right to compensation
With the regulation issued within the scope of the European Union harmonization process, passengers have been entitled to compensation from airline companies since 1 January 2012 due to their grievances.. With the “Regulation on the Rights of Passengers Traveling by Airline”, they are given the opportunity to recover a certain part of the ticket fees even in case of delay, cancellation or route change, and compensation or accommodation in case of delays and cancellations..
If the problem with the flight is caused by the airline, the passenger has many rights. For this reason, do not forget that you have the right to compensation in case of any problem and seek your right.