AA refusing to pay costs of volcano-stranded pax in EU

[FWAAA]

If ever there was an act of God for which airlines shouldn't have to bear all the expenses, last month's Iceland volcano is one of them. AA refusing to pay the hotel and meals expense of stranded passengers in European countries? Good!

The European Commission says U.S. airlines should have covered the hotel and food bills of their passengers stranded in Europe during last month's airport shutdown there.

But three U.S. carriers - American, Continental and US Airways - didn't do that in most cases. And they, along with Delta Air Lines, aren't likely to pay off claims submitted afterward by stranded passengers who arranged their own accommodations and meals.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100502/BIZ/5020376/1076/BIZ/US+airlines+ignore+EU+dictate+to+pay+passengers++costs

This isn't an isolated flight cancellation caused by the airline - this was a natural disaster. If governments want to step in to make the travelers whole, then that's fine. But to saddle private businesses (businesses that are nearly bankrupt as it is) with more costs for which they aren't responsible for causing - that's just stupid.

 

[eolesen]

Many EU nationals have a hard time acknowledging the existence of God, therefore it is not the least bit surprising that their governments wouldn't have an exception to something they don't believe exists....

 

[jimntx]

Oh, isn't it just awful? In return for the right to fly to European Union countries, those people think that we should adhere to European law. What are they thinking? We are the USA. We don't have to answer to anyone.

 

[eolesen]

Oh, isn't it just awful? In return for the right to fly to European Union countries, those people think that we should adhere to European law. What are they thinking? We are the USA. We don't have to answer to anyone.

Should US carriers also apply EU mandated crew staffing requirements to flights to the EU?

How about crew rest and duty time regulations?

Should the UK or FR be able to tax your income from a LHR or CDG layover?

You've got to draw the line somewhere, and following the laws of your certificate seems quite reasonable.

 

[Winglet]

Should the UK or FR be able to tax your income from a LHR or CDG layover?

Don't give them any ideas. They'd love to do that.