Originally Posted by
davidjohnson6
Covid is outside an airline's control, so EU261 doesn't apply
That is not entirely correct.
Yes, the EU commission have made it clear that Compensation does not apply as Covid is outside the airlines control.
However,
If the airline cancels the flight, passengers are entitled to a full cash refund if that is requested.
3.2. Right to reimbursement or re-routing
In the case of a flight cancellation by the airlines (no matter what the cause is), Article 5 obliges the operating air carrier to offer the passengers the choice among:
a) reimbursement (refund);
b) re-routingattheearliestopportunity,or
c) re-routing at a later date at the passenger's convenience.
https://ec.europa.eu/transport/sites.../c20201830.pdf