Because of a cancelled flight due to bad weather all 63 Adria Airways passengers had to spend the night at the airport sleeping on improvised beds, without water and without any basic hygiene necessities. They now demand an apology and compensation for the food and accommodation from Slovenia's flight carrier.

EU's regulation is very clear in such cases: Passengers, who have to wait during a whole night for the next flight, are entitled to hotel accommodation. If the flight is cancelled or postponed for more than 5 hours, the passenger has the right to cancel his trip and demand a return flight to the first point of departure, as well as reimbursement for the part of the journey not made.

Adria did not cover the accommodation costs
A representative from the airport in Zürich told the passengers that there were no free rooms in the city. However as we do live in the age of modern technology, the passengers soon found out that all the hotels were not fully booked. The airport representative then had to admit that the truth lied elsewhere – Adria Airway was not ready to cover their accommodation costs. Late night phone calls made to Adria were unsuccessful. Adria Airways says that it would have offered its help, but that the passengers probably dialed the wrong number. It is a fact though that there is only one emergency number, published on the carrier's website, and that that's the number the passengers dialed. But Adria's emergency number was indeed unavailable, as it only works from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Adria is aware that it did not provide its passengers with all that is entitled to them under EU regulations. The airline company says it was a case of 'force majeure'. The decision on the passengers' reimbursement will be taken by the board of appeal. Passengers can then expect compensation money on their accounts by the end of the month.

Jasna Krljić Vreg, TV Slovenija; translated by K. J.