Experiencing delays with your airBaltic refund?
Perhaps you’ve requested a full refund following a cancellation, and you’re now left waiting. You might have received a message from them outlining the situation, or you might still be awaiting their response. Regardless of your individual scenario, it’s essential to remember that in the EU, this process is regulated, and your airBaltic refund should be processed within 7 days according to the law.
What are your next steps if it takes longer than anticipated?
AirBaltic Refund Delays: Your Action Plan
When a flight cancellation occurs, the airline is obligated to provide you with a refund.
If airBaltic, for instance, cancels a flight within the European Union, they are required to offer you a choice between a full refund and an alternate flight. It’s important to note that in some situations, you may only be eligible for a refund, while in others, you could be entitled to both a flight cancellation refund and compensation for the cancelled flight.
Step 1: Reach Out to airBaltic
Communicate with airBaltic’s customer service through their website.
Additionally, try reaching out to them through other channels.
Unless there’s a significant unforeseen incident, like the onset of a global pandemic, they should respond within a week. If you don’t receive a response within this timeframe, send more messages. Continue this process every few days as required to get their attention.
Step 2: Use Social Media to Contact airBaltic
If airBaltic fails to respond, resort to social media.
After several weeks of unreturned emails and web messages, bring your matter to Facebook and Twitter to get airBaltic’s attention. Remind them of the 7-day deadline and cite Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Articles 5 and 8.
Step 3: Decline Voucher Offers
Your refund should be deposited directly into your bank account.
You are not required to accept vouchers or coupons from airBaltic.
Step 4: Get in Touch with the National Enforcement Body (NEB)
Every EU member state has a NEB.
Contact the NEB of the country from which your flight departed. If your flight departed from Germany, reach out to the Nationale Beschwerde- und Durchsetzungsstelle Fluggastrechte. If it was a flight from a country outside the EU, contact the NEB of the destination country. A list of these organizations and their contact details can be found on this page.
Learn more about this here.
While this fourth option is the most effective, it can also be quite time-consuming. Typically, it takes approximately 2 months for the relevant NEB to reach a decision. After the decision has been made, you have to wait until airBaltic processes the payment. To ensure the best outcome, keep reminding them about your issue on airBaltic’s social media pages and through other communication channels.
AirBaltic Refund: When Are You Entitled to One?
According to EU regulations, you can claim a full refund if airBaltic cancels your flight.
If airBaltic cancels your flight, they are obligated to offer you a choice between a new flight at no additional cost or a full refund. This applies irrespective of the reasons for the cancellation, including unforeseen circumstances. It also doesn’t matter if it’s a last-minute flight cancellation or not. Legally, your refund for the cancelled flight should be processed within seven days.
Any delay by airBaltic in processing your refund is a breach of EU regulations, and passengers should consider taking further action.
How About If You’re The One Who Cancels The Flight?
The process for refunds becomes a bit more complex if you’re the one who cancels the flight. Here are some factors to bear in mind:
- Flexible tickets. If you’ve booked a flexible ticket, you’ll likely be eligible for a refund, but always remember to check the airline’s terms and conditions.
- Non-refundable tickets. For non-refundable tickets, you typically won’t get a full refund. However, airlines may offer to refund the taxes included in your ticket price.
- Travel insurance. If your travel insurance policy covers cancellations, you may be able to receive a refund through your insurance provider, depending on the reason for the cancellation.
- Cancellation within 24 hours of booking. Some airlines offer a full refund if you cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking, provided that the booking was made at least 7 days prior to the departure date. Try to reach out to airBaltic, if your situation is somewhat similar.
- Exceptional circumstances. If you need to cancel due to exceptional circumstances, such as illness or a serious family problem, the airline may offer a refund or credit for future travel, but this is dependent on the airline’s policy
Flight Cancellation due to Extraordinary Circumstances: Can You Get a Refund?
During instances of unforeseen incidents such as severe weather conditions, strikes by airport employees (not those by airline staff – airBaltic staff, in this case), or security issues, the airline is generally not held accountable for the cancellation.
Yet, according to EU laws (Regulation (EC) No 261/2004), in a scenario where an airline cancels a flight, it is still their duty to present passengers with a choice between a full refund and an alternative reroute option. This implies that even if the cancellation is caused by extraordinary circumstances, you are still eligible for a cancellation refund.
Please note that your refund should ideally be processed within seven days. If there are delays in receiving your refund, feel free to follow the action plan outlined above.
What is your experience with airBaltic refunds? Have you ever received a refund from airBaltic? Share your experience in the comments!