Loading...On June, 22 a flight operated by Brussels Airlines joining Brussels and Washington, DC had to return to the airport. It managed to cover half the destination but had to fly back. In general, passengers spent about nine hours in the air getting nowhere but their starting point.
The flight experienced troubles from the very start. The flight was due to take off at 10.15 a.m. But there was a two-hour delay because of last-minute plane substitution.
Moreover, due to the plane change the aircraft was not supplied with the necessary authorization documents to land in the U.S. In order to avoid being fined someone in Brussels airlines decided on returning a plane back to the airport. The plane was passing over Ireland and made a turn back.
So, having wasted about nine hours in the air, the plane arrived in Brussels at 9.15 p.m. In accordance with the airline company, a turnaround of the flight was because of operational issues.
Not only passengers suffer from such situations but airlines as well, especially the ones located in Europe. The Europeans Union’s laws imply that airlines as a part of the Star Alliance, have to make up for the delays. Thus, the airline will compensate €600 per person. And it will have to provide each passenger with a hotel and meal vouchers.
A representative of Brussels Airlines has confirmed that due to an error the plane was not supplied with the FAA papers needed to land in the U.S. Unfortunately, the error was noticed when the plane had already been about 4 hours in the sky.
In comparison with the European Union’s laws the US ones are not so strict. And very often they do not ensure passengers the protection of their rights.
