FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: From ORK, live LCY
Programs: BA Silver, EI Silver, HH Gold, BW Gold, ABP, Seigneur des Horaires des Mucci
Posts: 14,243
Whilst I might be convinced that COVID-related cancellations when staff fall ill unexpectedly could possibly come into the bracket of "extraordinary circumstances", that is not the end of it. To escape having to pay compensation, the cancellation must also meet the criterion that it "could not have been avoided even if the airline took all reasonable precautions", and given where we are with COVID, it is plainly obvious that having spare crew at your home airport is a reasonable precaution against the need to cancel flights.