Upvote:2
Is it safe to wait for the airline to respond?
Right now, airlines are doing everything they can to not hand over money to customers because they are bleeding operational funding due to the covid crisis - do NOT expect the airline to be proactive here.
Going by the EU261 rules, you should have received a refund within 7 days of submitting the request, because your refund was triggered by a schedule change the airline made.
If your flight is cancelled you have the right to choose between reimburs*m*nt, re-routing or return.
...
If you were informed of the cancellation less than 14 days prior to the scheduled departure date, you have a right to compensation. The airline has the obligation to prove if and when you were personally informed that the flight was cancelled. If this is not the case you can contact your national authority for further assistance.
EU261 official guidance to passengers on their rights.
Article 8
Right to reimburs*m*nt or re-routing
- Where reference is made to this Article, passengers shall be offered the choice between:
(a) - reimburs*m*nt within seven days, by the means provided for in Article 7(3), of the full cost of the ticket at the price at which it was bought, for the part or parts of the journey not made, and for the part or parts already made if the flight is no longer serving any purpose in relation to the passenger's original travel plan, together with, when relevant,
Or do I need to take further action before the original date of travel, and if yes, how?
Yes, badger the airline until you get the money in your account. Do not assume it will just happen.