With summer approaching and air travel increasing, the European Consumer Centre Cyprus is reminding passengers of their rights in cases of delayed, damaged, or lost luggage. Baggage delays are a common issue during travel and often bring inconvenience and unexpected expenses.
Compensation for delayed luggage
Depending on the airline’s policy, there are different ways of addressing the issue. Some carriers offer immediate, one-off compensation to cover essentials such as toiletries or undergarments. Others may reimburse per day of delay, up to a set number of days. In some cases, passengers must provide receipts to reclaim expenses for basic needs.
What passengers should do
To initiate any claim, passengers must obtain a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the airport. This report must be included with a written complaint to the airline, submitted within 21 days of receiving the delayed baggage.
Lost luggage after 21 days
If a bag is not returned within 21 days of the flight, it is officially considered lost. Passengers are entitled to claim compensation under the Montreal Convention, which covers the value of the suitcase and its contents. Airlines may request a list of the items and, where possible, original purchase receipts. The maximum compensation is approximately €1,800.
Damage to baggage or contents
If a bag is damaged, compensation may be based on the value of the luggage itself or the damaged items inside. Airlines typically request receipts and apply a fixed compensation scale. In some cases, the airline may offer a replacement bag via its own store or an affiliated retailer.
When airlines are not liable
An airline is only exempt from liability if it can prove that it took all necessary measures to prevent the incident or that the damage was unavoidable. However, since there are no universal complaint evaluation rules, each case is treated individually, and passengers must provide thorough documentation.
Travel insurance and additional claims
Passengers may also seek compensation through their travel insurance provider. In such cases, the insurance company may reimburse the traveller directly and later recover the amount from the airline or its insurer.
Information and support
For further guidance or help with submitting a complaint, passengers can visit the European Consumer Centre Cyprus at: www.ecccyprus.org
