Travelers' Crete trip disrupted by wind, plane unable to touch down
On Saturday, May 24, a flight operated by German airline Condor, connecting Zurich and Heraklion in Crete, could not land as scheduled, due to strong winds. The flight, identified as DE1234, was meant to touch down at 10:15 AM, but the attempted landing was unsuccessful.
A second attempt was made at Kos, an island near Crete, but once again, windy conditions hampered the pilot's efforts. The aircraft eventually landed in Thessaloniki around 5:20 PM and, with passengers disembarked and lodged for the night, another attempt to reach Heraklion was undertaken on Sunday. However, turbulent winds once again disrupted the landing, ultimately prompting a redirect to Athens.
Upon arrival in Athens, passengers hoped to retrieve their luggage, but this proved impossible due to heavy traffic and limited resources for ground handling. Despite the frustration, German airline Condor apologized to the affected customers, attributing the mishap to "extreme weather conditions with strong winds." The passengers, predominantly from Switzerland, had to return to Zurich after managing only to spend a day in the Greek capital.
In light of EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers are entitled to certain rights when flights are delayed or cancelled due to weather conditions. These rights include free meals, refreshments, and communication during delays of more than two hours, as well as accommodation if necessary. Moreover, affected customers may also be eligible for a full refund or a replacement flight. However, compensation for delays caused by weather conditions beyond an airline's control is generally not granted.
For stranded passengers, it is crucial to request a written explanation from the airline, document any evidence such as weather reports, and confirm whether the delay was unavoidable due to weather conditions. Those with questions about their rights or needing further assistance can contact Condor customer service or consult with a passenger rights advocate.
Passengers, having been redirected to Athens due to extreme weather conditions with strong winds, may now find that their scholarship deadlines or planned lifestyle changes are delayed because of travel disruptions. As they travel back to Zurich, they might contemplate the unforeseen impact of such weather conditions on their leisure activities or scholarship opportunities in sunny Crete or the Greek islands.
