Pressure mounts on KLM to pay up

Published on Saturday 14 August 2010 18:01

PRESSURE was mounting on Dutch airline KLM yesterday to compensate fully British travellers stranded earlier this year during the volcanic ash cloud crisis.

The airline said it would only pay 24 hours' worth of hotel and meal bills to those affected, despite European Union legislation stating "reasonable costs" should not be time limited.

KLM faces the possible threat of legal action by the European Commission if it does not comply with EU laws. Both the European Commission and Dutch authorities have received complaints from Britons trying to secure compensation from KLM.

Frustrated travellers have set up a Facebook page called "KLM must support passengers stranded by ash cloud" to vent their anger over claiming for accommodation and food bills while flights were delayed.

Thousands of passengers had their travel plans wrecked in April and May as airlines had to ground flights after ash from an Icelandic volcano spread into European airspace.

The EC wrote to KLM on 30 July reminding it of EU regulations that do not allow for limiting compensation to a single night.

British passengers encountering problems were being advised to contact the UK's Air Transport Users Council. The Civil Aviation Authority said it had also been in touch with KLM.

Some airlines are said to be uncomfortable with compensation rules applying in instances beyond their control - such as the protracted closure of airspace.

A KLM spokeswoman said: "The European Commission is still discussing the issue of compensation so, pending this, we decided to give our clients payment for one day and one night."