EasyJet Lied About Why My Flight Was Cancelled. I Got 250 Euros After Reporting Them.

EasyJet cancelled my flight from Amsterdam to Berlin. The reason given was "operational requirements." I was rebooked on a flight the next day. I needed to be in Berlin that night for a work meeting. I ended up taking a train at my own expense.

Under EC261, EasyJet owed me 250 euros in compensation. I submitted a claim through their website. They rejected it, claiming the cancellation was due to "extraordinary circumstances" specifically, air traffic control restrictions.

I checked the Eurocontrol website for that day. There were no significant ATC restrictions in the Amsterdam area. EasyJet was lying.

I filed a complaint with the Dutch Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT). They investigated and found that EasyJet had misclassified the cancellation reason. ILT ordered EasyJet to pay me 250 euros plus interest.

The process took about four months. But I got 250 euros plus 12 euros in interest. Not bad for a train ticket that cost 80 euros.

EasyJet and other budget airlines routinely misclassify cancellations to avoid paying EC261 compensation. If you think they are lying, file a complaint with your country's aviation authority. They take this seriously.