Passengers are not eligible for financial compensation of approximately 2,800 to 6,700 NOK if the delay is due to "Force Majeure.
On Friday, July 19, the world faced widespread disruptions caused by a Windows "blue screen of death" (BSOD) issue, triggered by a problem with CrowdStrike security software. This system failure affected Microsoft and numerous other companies globally, impacting ordinary travelers. The malfunction extended to the computer systems managing public airports, resulting in delays at major airports in the USA and Europe. As a result, travelers experienced long waiting times while trying to reach their destinations.
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This chaos affected a large part of the world, causing thousands of flight cancellations and blocking internal and external systems in various sectors such as hospitals, banks, stock exchanges, and other institutions reliant on Microsoft-based computers. According to Microsoft, the CrowdStrike bug impacted 8.5 million devices.
Due to these circumstances, many travellers are asking whether they are eligible for financial compensation for significant delays or flight cancellations.
According to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 of the European Parliament and the Council, passengers may claim compensation of approximately 2,800 to 6,700 NOK, depending on the flight distance and ticket price. However, compensation is not granted in cases where delays are caused by IT system failures, such as the one involving Microsoft. These situations are classified as "Force Majeure" and are not the airline's direct responsibility.
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“Since the issue does not result from the airline’s own fault, passengers cannot claim financial compensation”, explains AIRHELP, a company specialising in flight compensation. “Cases not eligible for compensation are clearly defined in European Air Passenger Rights Regulations. Such cases include delays or cancellations caused by factors outside the airline’s control, such as IT system failures like those involving Microsoft.”
AIRHELP also reminds passengers that airlines are required to cover the costs of an extended stay at the airport. If passengers need to stay in a hotel or have a meal, these expenses should be covered by the airline. “Airlines must also ensure that passengers can continue their journey to the final destination by providing reasonable alternative transport options and ensuring arrival as soon as possible.”
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