Originally Posted by
wiggy
aox
It does apply to airlines. If the airline makes the decision to transfer passengers to another operator then the airline pays, I've certainly known it happen at BA if for example an aircraft goes "tech". Sounds similar to the ferry situation you describe.
If OTOH if the passengers decide that rather than waiting for the original airline come up with a solution that resolves the situation ( e.g. put them on a later flight) they'd rather make alternative arrangements with another operator I suspect legally the situation is slightly different - I do accept there might be good and understable reasons for passengers taking that course of action.
Ok, so it sounds like the confusion described in the article might have arisen early- to mid-discussion and might not necessarily have been the end result. Things might have been properly explained and some passengers took the decision anyway.