Originally Posted by
travelingdrsuz
Originally all I could find was that it was a "mechanical issue" (not WX or the infamous EWR ATC). But she sent in her request and UA said:
"According to our records, the aircraft scheduled for this flight incurred environmental damage en route to your location. To determine the extent of any damage, the plane must pass a safety inspection mandated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
"We noted your request for monetary compensation under Regulation EC 261/2004 (EU261). However, compensation is not applicable under EU261 for flight delays caused by extraordinary circumstances that could not have been reasonably predicted or avoided, and we must decline your request."
I've been fortunate not to need a claim in my trips, but last year I helps some friends who had no idea they had a right to a claim from the DL meltdown when they got stuck at AMS. DL paid up. If UA doesn't owe them, fine. But I thought I read that even if it's an exception the airline has to show it, not just pop off a form letter.
UA is pretty clear in their position that the delay was due to extraordinary circumstances within the meaning of EC261. This excuse seems somewhat tenuous to me, and not clear what "environmental damage" would be, but I'm not up on recent interpretations of the law.
Your options would be to appeal to higher authority at UA by pushing harder, or pursuing civil action in Greek court. There are European law firms with websites that will look over claims and pursue them on contingency.