28 August 2026Severe weather

Severe thunderstorms cause flight cancellations at Zurich Airport, 28 August

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Severe thunderstorms affected flight operations at Zurich Airport on 28 August.
SWISS cancelled 27 flights because of the storms.
Other services at the airport were also delayed or cancelled during the disruption.

Sources: Anadolu Ajansı · SWI swissinfo.ch

WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR CLAIM

COMPENSATION: UNLIKELY — CARE STILL OWED

Weather that genuinely prevents safe operation is an extraordinary circumstance, so compensation is usually not owed — but the airline must still provide meals, hotel where needed, and rerouting or a refund. Watch for weather being blamed when other flights on the same route operated: the burden of proving the link is on the airline.

Basis: McDonagh v Ryanair (C-12/11) — care owed even in extraordinary events

WHATEVER THE CAUSE, YOU'RE OWED

Meals and refreshments after 2–4 hours' wait (by flight distance), plus hotel and transfers if you are delayed overnight.
On cancellation: the choice between rerouting as soon as possible, rerouting at a later date, or a full refund within 7 days.
If the airline provides no care, keep receipts — reasonable expenses are reimbursable.
These duties apply even when the disruption itself is extraordinary.

CAUGHT IN THIS RIGHT NOW?

Open the Black Box and record what the airline tells you — especially the reason. The exact wording decides the extraordinary-circumstances question later.
Ask for rerouting in writing (app chat or email), and keep every receipt.
Once you know your final delay, check your flight and generate the letter.
Airline already replied with an excuse? Decode it.

This page explains the rules that generally apply to this type of disruption. Airlines assess each claim on its own facts; eligibility for a specific flight depends on its circumstances.