Yh that is very poor, if the airline strikes how on earth should the end passenger have to foot the bill. I assume with the way that British Airways is going there is going to be a fair few more strikes from them.

Pretty contentious issue, but I am too baffled as to how passengers cannot claim..

I think airlines will try it on whatever the cause of the delay, even if it be a valid claim under EU law. We claimed against Thompson for a five and a half hour delay to Jamaica in early 2015, they claimed exceptional circumstances due to failure of a part on the Dreamliner. Without any information to challenge this I got the CAA on the case. Again Thompson claimed exceptional circumstances, but the outcome of a test case which defined what was and what was not exceptional circumstances settled it. After about 9 months they eventually had to pay up. I recommend getting the CAA involved if you make a claim.

I've read that the CAA advise that strikes by their own airline staff are not exceptional circumstances unless they are wildcat ( which I think is illegal under UK law ?? ) the mixed fleet crew that are striking at BA give notice of strike action and the company has adequate time to cover the flights affected , how it can claim exceptional circumstances about something it knows about I can't understand !! As Frank said all the airlines try to wriggle out of EU261 or delay , or give vague replies to claims , if you know that you are factually correct in your claim , just keep on at them .