Originally Posted by
Dave Noble
... The cost of the rebooking is Qantas's responsibility and has no bearing on the amount of compensation due
Exactly! If in this particular case 261/2004 is applicable in relation to the cancelled flight, the following applies: (
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/...01:0007:EN:PDF)
Article 5
Cancellation
1. In case of cancellation of a flight, the passengers concerned shall:
(a) be offered assistance by the operating air carrier in accordance with Article 8; and
...
Article 8
Right to reimbursement or re-routing
1. Where reference is made to this Article, passengers shall be offered the choice between:
- reimbursement within seven days, by the means provided for in Article 7(3), of the full cost of the ticket at the price at which it was bought, for the part or parts of the journey not made, and for the part or parts already made if the flight is no longer serving any purpose in relation to the passenger's original travel plan, together with, when relevant,
- a return flight to the first point of departure, at the earliest opportunity;
- re-routing, under comparable transport conditions, to their final destination at the earliest opportunity; or
- re-routing, under comparable transport conditions, to their final destination at a later date at the passenger's convenience, subject to availability of seats.
...
"earliest opportunity" logically includes the "opportunity" for the airline (Qantas) to rebook on another carrier.