The war conflict of the United States and Israel against Iran is strongly impacting on the energy markets, which is translating to the air sector, generating uncertainty about the supply of kerosene, cancellations and a progressive increase in price of tickets.
According to AirHelp, a technology company specializing in air passenger rights, the increase in fuel prices is leading some airlines to introduce surcharges on tickets, a practice that, while legal when communicated correctly at the time of purchase, cannot be applied retroactively to already confirmed bookings.
In this context, travelers are experiencing a widespread price increase, especially on long-distance routes, as well as a lower availability of economy fares.
From a regulatory point of view, the European framework establishes clear guarantees. There is a Regulation that protects passengers in case of disruptions significant, while there is another Regulation that obliges airlines to guarantee total transparency in prices, including any surcharge or supplement from the beginning of the booking process.
Full refund, relocation, food, drink and accommodation
Given possible changes in ticket conditions or flight cancellations related to supply problems, AirHelp reminds that passenger rights remain in force.
“The existence of a fuel crisis does not automatically exempt airlines from their obligations. Each case must be evaluated individually to determine if the situation was truly unavoidable or if it is part of the operational responsibility of the company,” says Rosa García, legal expert at AirHelp.
In any case, passengers have the right to choose between a full refund of the ticket within seven days or re-routing on an alternative flight to their final destination as soon as possible.
Furthermore, airlines must comply with the so-called “right to care”, providing food, drink, and accommodation if necessary.
In more complex scenarios, such as cancellations that leave passengers stranded during layovers or return trips, the assistance obligations on the part of the airline remain.
Economic compensations
Regarding the economic compensation —which can reach up to 600 euros—, will depend on the origin of the incident.
If the fuel shortage responds to poor planning or internal problems of the airline, the passenger could be entitled to said compensation. However, if it is an external extraordinary circumstance, such as a general failure in the supply at the airport, the airline could be exempt from paying it, although not from providing assistance.
“In moments of uncertainty, knowing your rights as a passenger is key to being able to claim and avoid situations of lack of protection.” To facilitate procedures for passengers and to be able to give them peace of mind in a moment of tension such as a flight interruption, AirHelp has a application free mobile that offers real-time flight tracking, change alerts, claims assistance, and options for additional protection.