airBaltic cancels 12 November Riga to Budapest with refund only

LoyaltyLobby reports that a reader's 12 November airBaltic flight from Riga to Budapest was cancelled with no alternatives offered as Budapest leaves the network. The last Riga to Budapest flight is expected later in the month. The passenger requested a refund and booked a connecting trip on another airline.

airBaltic is in a U.S. Chapter 11 restructuring and shrinking the network toward profitability. The reader said the airline did not keep a promise of no changes made during bankruptcy. LoyaltyLobby says a cancellation with no reroute does not meet EU Regulation 261/2004. The regulation requires a choice of reimbursement or rerouting. Rerouting can be on other airlines and can be at the earliest opportunity or later at the passenger's convenience. A unilateral refund can trigger a claim for the extra cost of a comparable new ticket. LoyaltyLobby says carriers often move only after passengers push those rights.

If airBaltic cancels a flight, insist on rerouting at the earliest opportunity and reclaim a comparable replacement fare if they refund unilaterally.