Jochen Eversmeier’s Post

From inflation to air travel tax - even after the coronavirus pandemic, the challenges are not getting any smaller. How the travel insurance providers Allianz Partners, ERGO Reiseversicherung AG (ERV), HanseMerkur, Union Reiseversicherung - URV, Kaera Makler, MDT travel underwriting GmbH and Lifecard Travel Assistance (LTA) are looking ahead to the 2024 travel year. #travel #travelindustry #travelinsurance #travelprotection #tourism

Despite higher travel prices, travel insurer Union Reiseversicherung - URV is expecting more travellers in the German source market. Head of Sales Alexander Piwonski explains his assessment and reveals in an interview what he expects from the 2024 travel year. #travelbookings #travelprices #travelinsurance #unionreiseversicherung #urv

Germany: the profit and loss transfer agreement within the vertically integrated state-owned rail incumbent DB Group previously provided for the commercial rail freight operator subsidiary DB Cargo to have its losses in the hundreds of millions offset by the parent company. The EU Commission has been investigating whether this violates competition rules since the beginning of 2022. We hope that such cross-financing will be deemed anti-competitive because there is the high risk that it is used to undercut independent competitors who do not have the same access to taxpayer funds. More details in this new (German language) article today: https://lnkd.in/dMtaq29u

Switzerland: it is factually misleading of the Swiss state-owned rail incumbent SBB CFF FFS to claim a "profit" when it is clear that a lot of this so-called "revenue" comes from directly awarded taxpayer subsidy. We're talking about a *closed* market: a significant chunk of SBB's "profit-earning" simply comes from lobbying its owner for exclusive taxpayer funded contracts. Fact: As can be seen by statistics issued by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, the number of rail passengers has remained static since 2010. Meanwhile, figures that SBB has published itself show that the average load factor for passenger rail services is only 23.9% Instead, it is an open market that would reduce ticket prices and increase ridership in Switzerland. https://lnkd.in/e5c3Bdq3

In our latest article, we delve into the Montreal Convention which has significantly impacted air travel, offering passengers fairer compensation and greater protection. This international treaty has streamlined the process for claims related to delays, damage, or loss, making it a cornerstone of passenger rights. https://lnkd.in/gRA_x2vJ

A recent European Court of Justice decision has major implications for flight delay compensation. Here's the scoop: The case concerned a passenger who claimed compensation under EU Regulation No. 261/2004 for a long flight delay caused by a hidden defect in an aircraft engine. The defect was revealed by the manufacturer months before the flight, but the airline argued it was an extraordinary circumstance and that it was therefore exempt from paying compensation.   The ECJ ruled that the detection of a hidden design defect in an aircraft engine can be considered an extraordinary circumstance under Regulation No. 261/2004, even if the airline knew about the potential defect beforehand. This is because: ✈ The defect is not inherent in normal airline operations. Hidden defects are not part of standard airline operations, and are unexpected occurrences. ✈ It is beyond the airline's control to identify and fix the defect. Airlines cannot be reasonably expected to identify and fix hidden defects without manufacturer notifications or prior indications of malfunction. ✈ The manufacturer revealing the issue is considered an external event.   The ECJ did not mandate that airlines must always have reserve aircraft available. Instead, the focus shifted to airlines demonstrating that they had taken "all reasonable measures" under the specific circumstances. This assessment considers: ✈ Technical and Economic Feasibility: Was having a reserve aircraft realistic, considering technical limitations and costs? ✈ Available Resources: Did the airline have reasonable access to alternative aircraft at the time of the disruption?   This ruling clarifies the concept of extraordinary circumstances regarding hidden design defects. However, it avoids placing undue burdens on airlines by not imposing an absolute requirement to maintain a reserve aircraft fleet in all scenarios. Whether the lack of reserve aircraft constitutes a failure to take reasonable measures will depend on the technical and economic resources of the airline. #Aviation #AviationMatters #ECJ #ExtraordinaryCircumstance #AviationLaw #FlightDelayCompensation #LegalUpdate

Switzerland | It is clear that bad decisions were made with regard to the procurement of these technically over-engineered double-decker trains by the Swiss state-owned rail operator SBB CFF FFS Indeed this whole scandal is described by many as a "disaster" (see the title of the article below) - with costly consequences for the federal government and taxpayers. The damage is hundreds of millions of Swiss francs, which would have been better spent on many other things in the rail sector. Had a privately-owned operator wasted such a huge amount of taxpayer money, then observers would seriously question the point of market liberalisation. It would be dragged across the global media as a huge scandal. This case once again displays the misplaced incentives at state-owned operators: they still often benefit from direct awards with no competitor and are thus are less careful with taxpayer money. In this case, a high-ranking expert even advised the SBB management to exit the contract way back in 2014, but it still did not do so. It's time to start asking probing questions about the whole market organisation structure in Switzerland. https://lnkd.in/eDqmqVAb

🔴 Thousands could make claims after BA flight delay ruling - BBC.com Great news for passengers! A recent ruling has opened the door for thousands of travelers to make claims for flight delays. According to a report by BBC.com, the ruling could potentially result in a surge of compensation claims from affected passengers. This is a significant development for air travelers who have experienced delays and could pave the way for many to receive the compensation they deserve. If you've faced flight delays with British Airways or other airlines, this could be the opportunity you've been waiting for. Be sure to stay informed about your rights and take the necessary steps to pursue your claim. This ruling marks a positive shift in favor of passenger rights and could provide relief to many. Check out the full article on BBC.com for more details. Remember, knowing your rights as a traveler is crucial, and this ruling might just be the chance to assert them. Spread the word and stay tuned for further updates. #FlightDelay #PassengerRights #TravelCompensation https://ift.tt/dVyLTx7

The fact that we at Smile Versicherung are already celebrating our 30th birthday comes as a surprise to many. For me, it is one of the key success factors and USPs on the market. Smile is the InsurTech that has grown up, experienced enough to know what we want, but young and dynamic enough to still do it. As a digital lifestyle brand, innovation is part of our DNA, while at the same time we always build on a solid foundation in our core business. If you are interested in the history of the oldest InsurTech, I recommend the following article 😍 #insurtech1994 #smileinsurance #foreveryoung Roberto Monosi Aniello Lena Stefan W. Christof Birrer Kaytri Jeyarajah Stefano De Filippis Thomas Bopst Simon Rizzi Saskia Schneider Evelyne Niederberger and the whole Smile Community. Helvetia Versicherungen Schweiz

🔴 [Breaking News] Thousands could make claims after BA flight delay ruling - BBC.com Great news for air travelers! According to a recent ruling, thousands of passengers who have experienced flight delays with British Airways could be eligible to make claims. The ruling has potential implications for a large number of affected customers, offering them an opportunity to seek compensation for their inconvenience. This ruling serves as a significant development and a beacon of hope for those who have endured flight disruptions. It underscores the importance of passenger rights and holds airlines accountable for providing timely and reliable services. If you or someone you know has encountered flight delays with British Airways, this ruling could be a game-changer. Stay informed about your rights and explore the possibility of seeking compensation for any inconvenience you've experienced. Let's spread the word and ensure that affected passengers are aware of this potentially game-changing development. Share this post to keep your network informed and empowered. #FlightDelay #PassengerRights #BritishAirways https://ift.tt/dVyLTx7