Vueling problems

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Hi everyone,

I need some advice regarding my rights under EU261.

Vueling has cancelled my direct flight from Oviedo (OVD) to Paris (ORY) scheduled for August. They have automatically rebooked me onto a flight with a long layover in Barcelona, which significantly increases the total travel time.

Since they no longer offer direct flights from OVD on that date, I asked them (by phone) to change me to a direct flight from Santander (SDR), also operated by Vueling, or from Madrid (MAD) with Iberia (part of the same IAG group), so that I could keep a direct flight as originally planned.

The agent told me that “the system does not allow changing the departure airport” and that my only options are to accept the layover or request a refund. However, I already have non-refundable accommodation booked in Paris, so a refund is not useful if I have to buy new tickets at current August prices.

My questions are:

1. Under EU261, am I entitled to be rerouted from a nearby airport (such as SDR or MAD) if the original direct route no longer exists?

2. How can I get Vueling to actually make this change? The phone agent was not very helpful.

3. If I end up buying a new ticket with another airline (such as Transavia or Iberia), what are my chances of successfully claiming back the price difference afterwards?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!