Train delay leads to missed flight, court denies compensation claim - Judicial Body Denies Claim for Financial Compensation
In a recent ruling, the Regional Court of Koblenz has dismissed a compensation claim made by a tourist named Willi, who missed a connecting flight to Bergen, Norway, in October 2023. The missed flight disrupted Willi's plans for a Northern Europe cruise.
According to the court documents, Willi and his wife had a tight schedule even with an optimal journey. They departed from Halle at 5:45 AM for a planned departure from Frankfurt am Main at 6:18 AM. However, due to train delays and cancellations, they arrived in Frankfurt late, missing the check-in for their flight.
The Regional Court referred to the well-known unreliability of the German Railways in the context of Willi's late arrival at the airport. The court stated that as part of the Rail&Fly offer, tour operators can specify abstract behavioural rules for a careful journey. This is due to the offer being part of the travel services and covered by the package travel regulations.
Willi's travel plans involved a trip from Frankfurt am Main to Amsterdam, with a connection in Frankfurt, and a final destination in Norway for a Northern Europe cruise in November 2023. He had planned for a connection in Frankfurt that would have arrived at the main station at 9:18 AM. However, he was not informed about the need to recheck his luggage, which led to him missing the connecting flight.
Willi demanded a reasonable compensation for the thwarted trip, equal to 50 percent of the travel price. However, the Regional Court of Koblenz rejected his claim, stating that it was his responsibility for the late arrival at the airport check-in.
The case involved a tour operator, although the specific company was not mentioned in the court documents. It is important to note that travellers should always allow sufficient time for connections and be aware of any requirements for rechecking luggage when using Rail&Fly offers.
