Schedule Changes and Cancellations
Almost all booked flights are subject to schedule changes and cancellations, especially when booked far in advance. Airlines are continuously optimizing and adjusting their schedules. These changes are usually caused by updates to the route network, but also by staff shortages and measures taken for safety reasons or to prevent extreme congestion at airports.
As a result, we receive a large number of cancellations and changes to already booked flights on a daily basis. Where possible, we rebook passengers on the best available routes so that the destination can still be reached. This process is carried out behind the scenes and at no extra cost. However, this may result in changes to the route, departure and arrival times, and even the number of connections.
We do our utmost to keep groups together, including participants who are travelling before or after the group and who fly the return or outbound journey with the group. However, we regularly receive multiple changes or cancellations for the same booking. With large groups in particular, it can be difficult to track which reservations belong together. This can lead to the journey (partially) being split across different flights. This can also be caused by seat availability, making it impossible to travel together. In all cases, the priority is to confirm transportation from the departure point to the destination for all travellers.
If the destination can no longer be reached, or if an extremely long connection or overnight stay becomes necessary, we will contact you to discuss the alternatives. In many cases this results in a refund procedure and, where possible, the purchase of new tickets (with any fare difference settled). It is also possible to request a refund, in which case we will retain €85 per person to cover the costs we incur for processing the refund.
All rebookings that have a relatively minor impact (e.g. departure 3 hours earlier or later, or flying via a different route, even if it means 2 connections instead of 1) will not be communicated for practical reasons. New changes and cancellations can always follow, and the airline still fulfils its transport obligation within the specific margins that apply.
- It is therefore essential to check the current times well in advance and also shortly before departure via the link in the e-ticket or through the airline’s app or website. This allows you to see the exact times and flight numbers at any moment.
It is important to note that we always ensure the new route meets the airline’s requirements regarding the “Minimum Connecting Time” (MCT). So even if the connection becomes shorter than on the originally booked ticket, the transport guarantee still applies. If the connection does not work in practice, the airline will always arrange a free rebooking to the next available flight for the rebooked tickets as well. If the connection no longer meets the MCT after a schedule change, we will rebook the ticket according to the procedure described above.
As Skybreakers, we obviously have no influence on schedule changes and cancellations and therefore ask for your understanding on this matter.