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Detour of yesterday's SmartLynx flight to Cologne: passenger information and consequences

11 Oct 2023

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10:00 a.m.

Yesterday evening (10.10.) the flight of the airline SmartLynx from Heraklion (Greece) to Saarbrücken was diverted to Cologne at short notice. Saarbücken Airport received numerous complaints from passengers. Managing Director Thomas Schuck announces consequences.

The detour of yesterday's flight 6Y 334 of the airline SmartLynx to Cologne had unpleasant consequences for the 177 passengers. Saarbrücken Airport received reports from those affected that they felt inadequately informed and cared for by the airline and that they had to arrange their onward journey to Saarbrücken themselves.

Saarbrücken Airport is in close contact with the airline to ensure that all passengers are informed about their rights and claims and receive refunds. A spokesperson for the airline SmartLynx commented: "In these cases, compensation will of course be paid in accordance with the legal requirements for delays. Furthermore, the costs for the return transport of the passengers to Saarbrücken will be covered. We ask affected passengers to submit their claims via our website. We would like to expressly apologize for any inconvenience caused."

Saarbrücken Airport therefore recommends all those affected to contact https://www.smartlynx.aero/de/passagiere/reklamationen (direct link). Information on air passenger rights can also be found at https://www.flughafen-saarbruecken.de/passagiere-besucher/fliegen/passagierrechte/ (direct link).

"The high safety standards in flight operations are right and important. That's why the crew's decision to land in Cologne is not up for debate. Safety comes first, always. What is rightly criticized, however, is the inadequate care of passengers," says airport CEO Thomas Schuck.

Even though this is the first case of a diverted flight from Greece this year, Thomas Schuck announces consequences from the incident: "Ultimately, all airline passengers flying to or from Saarbrücken are also guests of Saarbrücken Airport. We will examine how we can ensure the fast and safe transport of passengers to us in future in similar cases on the part of the airport. If necessary, also with cost submission."

Background:

Yesterday's flight of the type Boeing 737 Max8 of the airline SmartLynx landed in Cologne at 21:14. On the flight from Heraklion to Saarbrücken there were temporary technical difficulties with the braking system. Due to this situation, the pilot performed all necessary safety checks during the flight and only decided shortly before landing that the flight should be diverted. Passenger safety always comes first here.