Under directive 261/2004 passengers are entitled to financial
compensation for cancelled flights irrespective of whether they
have suffered any financial loss. This is to reflect the
inconvenience which they have suffered.
The amount of compensation is dependent on the distance of the
flight, and the delay which the passenger would suffer in reaching
his final destination under the rerouted alternative which the
airline offers:
- For short-haul flights (under 1500km) the compensation is €150
if the delay in reaching the final destination is not more than2
hours, otherwise the compensation is €250.
- For medium haul flights (all flights within the EU over 1500km
and for all other flights between 1500km and 3500km) the
compensation is €200 if the delay caused by the cancellation is not
more than 3 hours, otherwise the compensation is €400.
- For long-haul flights (all flights over 3500km) the passenger
is entitled to €300 compensation where the delay is not more than 4
hours, or €600 compensation in all other cases.
It is important to note that if the
airline gives sufficient notice of the cancellation then there is
no right to compensation:
- Where the airline gives at least two weeks' notice of
cancellation then no compensation is payable.
- Where notice of between two weeks and seven days is given then
compensation is not payable as long as the airline offers rerouting
which would allow the passenger to depart no more than two hours
before the original departure time and arrive no more than 4 hours
after the original arrival time
- Where notice of less than two weeks is given the compensation
is not payable if the airline offers rerouting that would enable
the passenger to depart no more than one hour before the original
departure time and arrive no more than two hours after the original
arrival time.
This compensation must be paid to the passenger in cash or by
cheque or bank transfer. The airline may offer travel vouchers or
credit instead, but the passenger does not have to accept this and
can demand cash compensation.