Originally Posted by
El Bunto
There are plenty of escape clauses for airlines. But the vast majority of cases in which compensation is paid are as a result of events that were entirely forseeable or statistically predictable, but for which the airline decided not to implement contingency plans.
The difference between you driving to Birmingham is that you haven't entered into a contract of conveyance with anyone. Not Volvo or their suppliers, Highways England, Esso.. But when I hand money to an airline they are contractually OBLIGED to convey me in some manner consistent with the advertised timings or to pay compensation. Not just for the cost of the ticket but also for the time lost in waiting for the airline to uphold their end of the deal.
Airlines are not our friends, they are avaricious businesses that will screw us over in an instant if it makes them a dollar more. Why defend them when the tables are turned?
I have entered into a contract with HMG on two levels. I pay an annual subscription (road fund licence) and then I pay them a handsome fee per litre for the fuel to run the vehicle. I could justifiably expect that for that I should be able to get from A to B in reliable consistent journey times, on roads that are fit for purpose. Neither of which I can do.
I know that I am being more than a little obtuse but the intolerance of people using using air and rail companies, and often unrealistic expectations of punctuality are tipping the balance too far in favour of the customer. Perhaps post Brexit the UK government may alter the EU261 rules, at least to limit compensation to the total cost of the ticket, including fees and taxes.