Originally Posted by
zebranz
therefore my delay exceeds time period (original to destination LHR-HER).
Yeah of course. Why didn't they give you a reason when they were re-booking you and arranging the hotel? That would have been the time to ask as they can (or used to) give you the compensation there and then, in cash, at ATH. It sounds to me like they know they're off the hook. I was just checking online news and it seems the French ATC strike was still ongoing until this morning. That would be my best guess at the reason. "Congestion on air route" does point in that direction.