Over 90 Aegean and Olympic Air flights cancelled and delayed due to a national strike in Greece
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
On November 9th, both the commercial and public sector unions in Greece have planned a 24-hour national strike that will shut down the majority of services nationwide, making it difficult to access airports. Due to the these anticipated issues, Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air have cancelled 50 flights and rescheduled an additional 42.
What is the general strike in Greece on November 9th about?
The current minimum wage for salaried workers in Greece is slightly over €700 per month. Greek unions (GSEE, ADEDY and PAME) are calling for lower taxes and an increase to this amount. The unions urge that the Greek government do something to combat the sharp spike in living expenses.
How does the general strike in Greece affect Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air flights?
As a result of this national Greek strike movement, Aegean Airlines and its subsidiary Olympic Air announced the cancellation of 50 domestic flights and changed the itineraries for additional 42 flights, the majority of which were international.
The unions representing Athens' public transportation system also announced late Tuesday that they would be extending their strike hours to last the full 24 hours. Airport passengers are advised to plan extra time or alternative routes to the airport and consider the likelihood of encountering problems with public transit.
Is it possible to claim compensation for my Aegean Airways cancelled flight / Olympic Air cancelled flight caused by the strike in Greece?
Passengers cannot seek compensation in these circumstances since strikes — with the exception of strikes involving airline employees — are deemed uncontrollable events under EU legislation. "Extraordinary circumstances" include non-airline strikes, some instances of which are provided in the list below.
Bad weather conditions, such as thick fog, heavy rain, or thunderstorms.
A strike, most often specifically within the aviation industry (for example, a strike of air traffic control workers at a specific airport).
However, a strike of the airline's crew is not considered an extraordinary circumstance!
Political circumstances, such as a terrorist attack or general security risk due to political unrest.
Natural disasters, including volcanic eruptions and hurricanes.
A collision between the aircraft and birds or other foreign objects.
An ill or unruly passenger.
Flight delays caused by the airport staff, such as extraordinarily long queues to security checks.
Should I accept a travel voucher for my Aegean cancelled flight / Olympic Air cancelled flight because of the national strike in Greece?
Airlines occasionally provide travellers with travel vouchers for cancelled flights. We recommend that you request a cash refund rather than accepting vouchers. After acquiring a travel voucher, the passenger must rebook their flight on the same airline, and the carrier will frequently set a deadline for doing so. Furthermore, if the airline filed for bankruptcy, it would be very difficult to get your money back.