The security situation in a number of Middle Eastern countries remains tense. In this regard, the Consumer Rights Protection Center (PTAC) has prepared detailed explanations of what travelers can expect in the event of flight cancellations or organized tours.
The first step, according to PTAC, is to establish direct contact with the service provider - the airline or tour operator from whom the ticket or tour package was purchased.
Comprehensive tourist services (packages)
If the tour operator decides to cancel a package tour (which includes, for example, a flight and hotel) before departure, the law requires them to refund all the funds paid by the client. The refund period is strictly regulated - 14 days from the date of contract termination.
A different situation arises if the tourist decides to cancel the trip for personal reasons, including general concerns for their safety. In this case, the organizer is not obliged to refund the full amount, and the client will have to pay the penalty for termination specified in the contract.
However, there is an exception: the presence of insurmountable and extraordinary circumstances at the destination or in its immediate vicinity. These include military actions, terrorism, critical security threats, or natural disasters that make the trip technically impossible. An important nuance: such a situation is recognized as confirmed only with an official decision from local authorities.
In such force majeure cases, the tourist has two options:
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Cancel the contract without penalties and receive a full refund (no additional compensation for moral damage or inconvenience will be paid).
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Accept an alternative from the operator: reschedule dates, change the destination, or receive a voucher for a future trip.
PTAC reminds that each case is unique, so any claims should begin with negotiations with the travel agency.
If due to an emergency the tourist cannot return home on time, the operator is obliged to cover accommodation for up to three nights. If the delay extends, further accommodation costs fall on the traveler themselves.
Rights of airline passengers
For those who purchased only airline tickets to the Middle Eastern region, the following rules apply in the event of a flight cancellation by the carrier. The passenger has the right to:
- Receive a full ticket price refund within seven days (including, if applicable, the return flight to the point of departure).
- Choose a route change to reach the destination on another flight.
If the alternative flight option is chosen, the airline is obliged to offer it at the first opportunity. During the waiting period, the carrier provides the "right to care":
- Meals, drinks, the ability to make two phone calls or send two emails.
- Transfer and hotel accommodation if the departure is postponed to the next day or later.
It is important to remember: if the cancellation is due to a security threat (extraordinary circumstances), airlines are exempt from paying additional monetary compensation, but the obligation to refund the ticket or transport the passenger to the destination remains.
Official sources of information
To make informed decisions, PTAC advises relying on official data:
- The website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia.
- The "Ceļo droši" page of the Consular Department on Facebook.
It should be noted that the recommendations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the undesirability of travel do not automatically serve as legal grounds for free cancellation of the tour. The status of an emergency is legally confirmed only by the authorities of the destination country.
It is also recommended to regularly check flight statuses on airline websites and monitor statements from official authorities in the countries of stay.
For additional consultations, you can contact PTAC: Phone: 65452554 E-mail: pasts@ptac.gov.lv
