Cyprus Airways

A question about : Cyprus Airways

In addition to KLM, the EU should take action against Cyprus Airways.

I took my family to Cyprus in April and thus far have not received a penny. My claim was not even acknowledged.

After many chases just two days ago I was advised We will respond by post within the next two weeks.

Is anyone else waiting to hear from them? Has anyone received payment from them? How do you suggest one concentrates their thinking?

Best answers:

• Hi Lionel,
  I have been helping my 77 year old Mother get her money back from Cyprus Airways after she was abandoned in Cyprus for 10 days and incurred costs of nearly Ј1000. Today she received the letter you speak of by Special Delivery.
  In short, the letter states that Cyprus Airways are not to blame for the incident and therefore do not have to pay "compensation" (despite several letters, emails and 2 claim forms stating that she is seeking out of pocket expenses, not compensation!!) and goes on to say that, as a gesture of goodwill, they have enclosed 150 Euros worth of vouchers to be used against her next flight!
  Mum then got back to Consumer Direct, who advised her to contact the Air Transport Users Council; she spoke to a foreign lady who said that Cyprus Airways were correct and didn't have to pay, so cut your losses and accept the vouchers!!!
  I am going to phone ATUC again tomorrow and ask them to explain the poor advice they have given to my Mum, then it's off to small claims court as we will have exhausted all other avenues.
  I would be very interested to find out what your letter says when it arrives; I suggest we keep in touch to take this further, together with anyone else that is fighting Cyprus Airways!
• Good morning Homer_J
  I have not yet received the rejection of the claim for reimbursement of expenses from Cyprus Airways. My claim is a multiple of that for your Mother for I, also a senior citizen, had taken the whole family away as a treat and there we 7 of us.
  The advice from AUTC is strange. See EC261/2004. See the Guidance for Tour Operators issued by the Dept for Business Innovation and Skills issued in June. Possibily the information given by abta on their website (I am not allowed to post the link)
  See also the EC announcement about KLM. Do you/anybody out there know from which EC department that came, and how to reach them? How to lodge a complain with the EC?
  Is there another website(obvoiusly not as nice and friendly) for volcano claims?
  Can one claim punitive damages in the small claims court?
  Lionel
• It would seem that the lady at ATC was advising my Mum that she is not entitled to compensation, which of course she isn't; unfortunately, Mum didn't clarify that she is claiming for out of pocket expenses rather than compensation during the phone call, and I haven't been able to get through as they're permanently engaged.
  The European small claims procedure looks fairly straightforward; unfortunately Lionel, it may not be any good to you due to the size of your claim; the maximum is EUR 2000 - I would imagine that you are out of pocket by substantially more than that!
  Knowing the Cypriot mentality, I really can't see CA paying out voluntarily and the powers that be seem to be very slow in applying any pressure - you might have to engage a lawyer to get anywhere!
• Good morning
  I did not know there was a European small claims system, but you are right and my claim is much larger than yours and the limit for European claims.
  In fact, I have not received Cyprus Airways "reject" letter yet, but am preparing for the UK small claims system. I have used the small claims court once before and found it "user friendly". I think the claim is too small, all things considered, to use a lawyer for. From what you say, then there might be a problem getting the payment but I guess I will have to cross that bridge if I get to it.
  How about claiming from the tour operator?
• check if they have a UK base you can serve papers there via the UK small claims cout.
  found this
  Cyprus Airways
  5 Brent Cross Gdns
  London
  NW4 3RJ
• Cyprus airways at the Brent Cross address for their offices are a British registered firm. They have an entry at Companies House, and their accounts are avaiable (all 97 pages of them). So I believe that you can issue proceedings in the UK.
• I've finally managed to contact a different person at the Air Transport Users Council, who have confirmed that under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 my Mum is entitled to refund of her expenses (we knew that anyway, but it's good to have confirmation from an authority!). Unfortunately, they cannot deal with Cyprus Airways, stating that we must approach their own Civil Aviation Authority for further assitance.
  We now have to decide whether to bother, or just go striaght to small claims; I think it's worth another call to Consumer Direct for advice.
  For anyone in a similar position, contact details for Cyprus Dept of Civil Aviation are as follows:
  Dept of Civil Aviation
  27 Pindarou Street
  Alpha Business Centre
  CY1429
  Nicosia
  Cyprus
  Email: director@dca.mcw.gov.cy
  Fax: 00357 227 66552
  Good luck - don't let the b******s grind you down!!
• Homer, best to go to their local enforcement body even if you do go to court. the more complaints the more chance of them doing something about it.
• Hi Homer_J
  Recently I have written twice to the Cypriot minister with responsibilty for airlines etc. I got her name from the attendees of an EC commission meeting on the volcanic ash cloud in Brussels. She is Ms Erato Kozakou-Markoullis, Minister of Communication and Works, Cyprus Government, Nicosia.
  It hasn't got me anywhere, and thus far she has yet to reply, but if more people write who knows...
  I have always found Cypriots to be charming and friendly, open people. I therefore do not understand their uncharacteristic total silence and lack of attention to matters now. More people need to know about Cyprus Airways
  Yours
  Lionel
  Lionel
• Having had a chat to my Mum, she wants to write to Dept of Civil Aviation before going through the courts, but will put a time constraint on a reply, or this could drag on for ever.
  I totally agree with your assessment of the Cypriot demeanour, except to add that they can have a very laid back 'never do today what you can put off until tomorrow' attitude...
• Homer, if the Cyprus version are anything like the dutch enforcement body it could take 6 months for them to come back to you after they eventually register your complaint
• Finally decided on a 2-pronged attack! Fax to Philippos Philippou (top name!!), Cyprus Airways Assist Mgr Marketing Services, rejecting their EURO 150 travel vouchers; restated that we are not claiming "compensation", so their refusal to pay on those grounds is invalid and restated their legal obligations under the Right of Care clause. Gave them 14 days to respond, and returned the vouchers by registered snail-mail.
  Have also emailed a complaint to the Director, Cyprus Civil Aviation Authority detailing the issue, attaching copies of all correspondence.
  If we don't hear anything back then it's small claim court action. We'll see what happens!
• What was the contact details of your man Philip P. at Cyprus? Do you have an email address for him? Everything we try emailing just gets swallowed up in their Web Centre and with no reply. Or do you have a fax number? Any contact details would be greatly appreciated as this chap (or anyone at Cyprus) seems to be about elusive as the Loch Ness Monster!!!
• Many thanks for this. And will certainly give it a try!
• You can get the names and address of all directors of all companies on the companies house website.