Easter Island visits cut, name weighed
Chile’s government has started to put tougher limits on tourism to Easter Island, which is known for its stunning gigantic stone heads known as Moais.
The statues have attracted an ever-increasing flow of tourists to the fragile island in the middle of the South Pacific, stressing its limited resources.
Chilean officials recently began restricting the number of visits from tourists and nonlocals from 90 days to 30 days.
Tourism Minister Monica Zalaquett says the measure is being taken now to protect the island. President Sebastian Pinera also fast-tracked a bill that seeks to change Easter Island’s name to Rapa Nui — as residents call the island.
Chile annexed the island in 1888. It is about 2,200 miles west of Chile.
A: United owes you $738 under EU 261, no two ways about it. EU 261 provides assistance and monetary compensation to airline passengers in events such as overbookings, cancellations or flight delays. The type of assistance and amount of monetary compensation depend on the circumstances. I have details on when EU 261 does and doesn’t apply on my advocacy site: www.elliott.org/frequently -asked-questions-about -eu261/.
A careful reading of the regulation suggests that United correctly compensated your colleague — and incorrectly denied you. I reviewed the paper trail between you and United. And, to be honest, I’m a little baffled by the excuses it generated. You’re absolutely right. The airline incorrectly blamed bad weather and then tried to invoke a clause for “extraordinary circumstances” by saying its crew timed out.
Finally, a representative claimed United would fire her for fulfilling a legal obligation to you. Direct quote: “I am not willing to be terminated and end my 17-year career with United for authorizing a draft under EU 261, when in fact the flight is noncompensable. I appreciate your understanding in this matter.” Come on.
I list the names, numbers and email addresses of the United Airlines customer-service managers on my advocacy website: www.elliott.org/company -contacts/united-airlines/. A brief, polite email to one of them might have helped. Otherwise, you handled this correctly. Your requests were cordial and factual. Nicely done!
I contacted United on your behalf. Although it continued to insist it had made a mistake when it compensated your colleague, it cut you a check for $738.