Delay Compensation - Force Majeure
 

Hi, apologies if this is in the wrong Forum.

We went on a cruise on Jan 3rd and were delayed on the flight for over 4hrs - reason given by Norse (chartered by P&O) was that this was due to the closure of Barbados air traffic, despite flights still taking off and landing there.

I want to contest this via MCOL as P&O are refusing compensation. I would be appreciative of people's opinions if they feel this is worth contesting.

Thanks,
James

What exactly are you looking for? Did you take the flight?

Compensation for being delayed, and yes we took the flight.

UK/EC261 does cover charter flights but the legislation does not include cruise companies so you would need to claim against the airline.

However, the US FAA closed the part of Caribbean airspace it controls at some point on 3rd January due to the US government action in Venezuela, and issued a NOTAM to all US airlines. There are also reports of aircraft turning round over the Atlantic.

The pilot's description would seem to be correct and therefore you don't have any claim unless you can show that at least 3 hours of the delay was due to the airline.

https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IN12636#
https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/cari...n-in-venezuela

For January 3rd? Don’t waste your time - not going to fly

Air traffic restrictions can still be a valid reason even if other flights arrived and departed, it could be they needed to cut capacity and your flight was one of the unlucky ones.