Query re compensation for delayed flight
 

Hi - I'm hoping you may be able to help with a general query about a historic flight.

I was due to fly our from LGW to DXB on 31st December 2016 on flight EK012 which should have departed at 09:40. Due to fog in Dubai, the flight didn't depart until 17:30 (I was offered a GBP10 food voucher but nothing else).

My query is, I'm not sure if the fog itself was entirely to blame for the delay and wondered if I had any recourse for compensation? Incoming flight EK015 from DXB to LGW landed at LGW hours before incoming flight EK011 (i.e.the incoming aircraft going back to DXB). Also from memory, other flights out of Dubai to LHR weren't affected as badly

Thanks in advance for any advice

Fog causes havoc in DXB, and they may re-time flights to fit into the overall slot, gate and other handling abilities, not necessarily in the same order as they were previously (no one knows how it happens really). If there was fog, then that's the end of the story, it'll be virtually impossible to prove that there was any other reason for the delay, however only GBP10 for such a long delay is a little low and frustrating.

Also the delay may have been heavily based on forecast, so current ex-DXB departures to LON wouldn't be affected if the forecast is for heavy fog 5 hours from now, which is when you'd be arriving in DXB.

I was in Dubai at that time, and it was chaos - I missed my NYE, and spent it at DOH airport instead. No compensation will be due unfortunately as it was weather related.

weather is force majeure - not covered in the EU regs.

Not entirely true. Passengers are always due a "duty of care" regardless of whether the reason for the delay is an "extraordinary circumstance". EC 261/2004 does not specify how much is due, but GBP 10 sounds a little bit on the low side, presuming that OP did not have lounge access. If OP had other expenses, he could submit his receipts and ask that they be reimbursed.

The weather argument seems pointless. On what facts is OP relying for his assertion?

Yeah but is it even worth submitting for a claim that dates back to 2016, i think after 3 weeks have passed it is time to move on if you have not claimed.

​​​​​​ Definitely once 12 months have passed... Didn't notice that typo in the OP, wonder why the 2 months wait... (Guessing OP means Dec 17)

No - it would be 2016... I was there :)

And you can retro claim for up to 6 years for EU261, but a bit pointless in this situation, as it would get refused.