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Your Rights Under EU Regulation EC 261/2004

1. Scope & Applicability

EC 261/2004 applies when:

  • Your flight departs from any EU airport (regardless of carrier).
  • Your flight arrives at an EU airport on an EU-licensed carrier.

It covers passengers holding valid tickets and those with confirmed reservations on qualifying flights.

2. Notification Requirements

Airlines must inform passengers of cancellations or long delays in a timely manner:

  • For cancellations: At least 14 days before scheduled departure to avoid compensation.
  • Between 7 and 14 days before departure: Alternative re-routing must allow you to depart no more than 2 hours before and arrive within 4 hours of the original time.
  • Less than 7 days before departure: Re-routing must allow departure no more than 1 hour before and arrival within 2 hours of original schedule.

3. Circumstances Covered

You may claim compensation except where the disruption is due to “extraordinary circumstances” beyond the airline’s control. Covered situations include:

  • Technical failures identified by routine maintenance or wear-and-tear.
  • Crew and staffing issues (e.g., crew scheduling errors).
  • Operational decisions (e.g., aircraft change, overbooking).

4. Extraordinary Circumstances

No compensation is due if the delay or cancellation arises from extraordinary circumstances that could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. Examples:

  • Severe weather conditions affecting airport operations.
  • Political instability or security risks.
  • Natural disasters (e.g., volcanic ash cloud).
  • Strikes by third parties (e.g., air traffic control strikes).

5. Right to Care and Assistance

While you wait, airlines must provide free of charge:

  • Meals and refreshments proportional to the waiting time.
  • Two telephone calls, emails, or fax messages.
  • Hotel accommodation and transport if an overnight stay is necessary.

6. Compensation Levels

Compensation depends on delay duration and flight distance:

  • €250 for delays over 3 hours on flights ≤ 1,500 km.
  • €400 for delays over 3 hours on intra-EU flights > 1,500 km, and all other flights between 1,500–3,500 km.
  • €300 for delays between 3 and 4 hours on flights over 3,500 km.
  • €600 for delays exceeding 4 hours on flights over 3,500 km.

7. Reimbursement & Re-routing Options

In case of cancellations or long delays, choose one of the following:

  1. Full reimbursement of unused ticket parts within 7 days.
  2. Re-routing to final destination at earliest opportunity.
  3. Re-routing at a later date at passenger’s convenience.

8. How to Claim

To exercise your rights: