Flight cancelled due to weather - I suspect not!

[canonfodder]

Mrs CF and I were happily booked on KLM1516 from Norwich to Amsterdam. That was until 2000hrs the night before when KLM sent me a text message cancelling the flight due to the weather! They immediately(ish) offered a flight on the 1400hrs flight, then later they changed their minds and decided to offer the 0600hrs flight instead. Long story short, we took the eurotunnel.

Now, being a bit of a pilot, I checked the TAF on the morning of 29th May...

TAF EGSH 290455Z 2906/2915 04008KT 9999 SCT035=
TAF EHAM 290500Z 2906/3012 03014KT 9999 FEW022

The METARS were also looking splendid too (reporting no significant weather).

When claiming compensation, the fact that KLM has used "weather" as an excuse is going to cause me a problem, since it could affect flight safety and it's out of their control. However, even as a relatively low hours PPL, I'd have had no concerns with that forecast.

Perhaps they didn't have enough pax or staff or the aircraft when tech so they just ticked the nearest box? Is this commonplace? I have lost faith in KLM after this :(

[kenparry]

It is possible that duff weather somewhere else had affected the aircraft that was planned for your flight. I agree that the Norwich & Amsterdam TAFs were not a problem.

[RevMan2]

Have a look at FR24 - you can check the aircraft rotation and see when/why cancelled

[PAXboy]

Similar prob;em for my friend yesterday (Sunday) for to VCE to find flight canx but evidence some six hours earlier that they had already canx. Will need to look at the exact timing and location of the thunderstorms.

[PAXboy]

Turns out that, when friend tried to check in online - the App said No. Thinking it was just BA's usual rubbish IT, logged into the web account. The return booking was absent. When entering the locator code, "All segments of that trip have been flown" (approx words). As this was some six hours before departure, it seems that BA knew well in advance that the out and return rotations would not operate. Reason given at the airport was 'Bad weather over Heathrow' which is valid to some degree but when?

[SWBKCB]

I think this is the issue, what does the "weather" reason mean? Most of us would think it is "the weather was so bad the aircraft couldn't arrive/depart" where as to an airline it seems to be "it looks a bit dodgy, we don't want to risk it because it might disrupt the rest of our schedule"

[canonfodder]

Thank you for all of your responses, I really appreciate it.

Update: My claim for compensation was declined by KLM due to the reason of: "weather". Given that the weather forecast at the time of the cancellation (the night before) was absolutely fine, I did some digging...

There are 5 flight numbers used for this route:
KL1514 is the 0600 from NWI to AMS.
KL1516 is the 0930
KL1520 is the 1410
KL1524 is the 1720
KL1522 is also the 1720 (sometimes)

Since 1st May, 1 flight has been cancelled for the 0600 flight, 7 flights cancelled for the 0930 flight, 1 cancelled for the 1410 flight and 3 cancelled for the 1720 flight.

All of these flights were cancelled by KLM due to "weather conditions".
It seems the 0930 flight is favoured for cancellations even though flights are departing and arriving before and after this time and seem to be completely unaffected by weather.
All of the METARs for both NWI and AMS at these times showed good weather conditions.
There were no storm cells in the areas or on the route.
All aircraft used for these flights originate from AMS.
No other flights were affected by weather around the time of these flights and the airports were operating normally with arrivals and departures at similar times.

Reading a recent article, KLM seems to be suffering from staff shortages, spares issues for their aircraft, and perhaps even passenger shortages (they have increased from 3 to 4 daily flights from NWI to AMS which really isn't needed). By ticking the "weather" box, they can simply avoid paying compensation. Only because I'm a pilot am I aware of how to search through TAFs and METARs and to check historical weather conditions for aviation.

All of these flights were cancelled inappropriately and the airline shouldn't be allowed to get away with it. I'll be escalating my case.

[S.o.S.]

canonfodder Wow. That is very fine research. Thank you for reporting back and it will be most interesting to hear your progress.

[SWBKCB]

Not just NWI, have a look at KL954 which leaves NCL at 09.30 which has been cancelled 8 times since the start of July, and is predominantly operated now by a leased in a/c. Suggests KLM have problems resourcing that wave out of AMS

[Alsacienne]

And KL flight cancellations between BSL and AMS (and vice-versa!) are almost a daily occurrence ....

[canonfodder]

And KL flight cancellations between BSL and AMS (and vice-versa!) are almost a daily occurrence ....
I've just checked that out and you're not wrong! Although this week for BSL flights, they've given reasons including "This flight has been cancelled because of some unforeseen changes to the flight schedule" and "technical reasons" so at least they haven't blamed the weather for those and you'd have a case for compensation.

[canonfodder]

Not just NWI, have a look at KL954 which leaves NCL at 09.30 which has been cancelled 8 times since the start of July, and is predominantly operated now by a leased in a/c. Suggests KLM have problems resourcing that wave out of AMS
It looks like KLM have used the reason "This flight has been cancelled because of operational constraints." for NCL flights. Again, at least these can be claimed for and they're taking responsibility for their actions. Blaming the weather has stopped my claim dead in its tracks so it looks like I'll have to go to the ombudsman.

If of interest, the KLM website for checking reasons for cancelled flights is: klm dot co dot uk slash flight-status. Unfortunately I'm not permitted to post weblinks on here it seems :(

[S.o.S.]

Hello canonfodder Whilst you have been on PPRuNe since Jan 2006, you have only posted a total of 6 times. We have a restriction until you have reached 10 posts. This is so that we (the Moderators) can be sure that you are not a 'bot' or trying to use the platform to sell something etc. Spelling it out as you have done is fine. Check some of the other threads in here and shove in your 10 pennyworth to reach 10!

Meanwhile, welcome to the cabin! :ok: