European legislation establishes that, if an airline cancels a flight, affected passengers are entitled to information, assistance, refunds or alternative transport and, in some cases, financial compensation.
European legislation points out that passengers are entitled to financial compensation in the event of cancellation, unless the airline:
- Has informed them about the cancellation at least two weeks before the flight.
- Has informed them between two weeks and seven days before the scheduled departure time, also offering re-routing that allows passengers to depart a) no more than two hours before the scheduled departure time on the purchased air tickets, and b) to reach their final destination less than four hours after the scheduled arrival time on the purchased air tickets.
- Has informed them seven or less than seven days before the scheduled departure time and has offered re-routing allowing affected passengers to depart a) no more than one hour before the scheduled departure time on the purchased air tickets, and b) to reach their final destination less than two hours after the scheduled arrival time on the purchased air tickets.
In all cases, although compliance with these conditions releases airlines from the obligation to pay compensation, it is always the affected passenger's responsibility to accept or refuse these new flight conditions. Passengers who do not take the alternative flight are entitled to ask for a refund on their tickets.
It is important to remember that European legislation can only be invoked for:
- intra-Community flights (that means between two countries belonging to the European Union), or
- flights where the departure airport is in the European Union even though the arrival airport is outside the European Union, or
- flights where, although the departure airport is outside the European Union, the operating airline is a European company.
In addition, the incident must not be due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline's control.
If all the above conditions are met, and passengers are entitled to receive compensation, the amount is fixed at:
- €250 for flights covering a distance under 1,500 kilometres
- €400 for flights covering a distance between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometres
- €600 for flights covering a distance of over 3,500 kilometres
The right to obtain this compensation does not imply any obligation to prove damages. However, if you have suffered quantifiable damages, we can also claim these under the Montreal Convention of 1999.
Claiming compensation
We can claim this compensation for you - we are experts in doing it. Please send us your details and we will contact you to study your situation in depth. This preliminary study costs you nothing and, if we think there is a basis for your case under European legislation, we will process your claim whether extrajudicial or judicial, also without charge.
Only if you actually receive compensation will we deduct our fees, equivalent to 25% of the final amount received + VAT. We assure you that if you do not receive compensation, we will not charge you any fee for the whole process. Please remember that you will only be charged when you receive your money. We charge you only if you get paid.
Claim with us
The following documents will be necessary during the process:
- Boarding pass(es) of the affected passenger(s).
- Original tickets or flight route issued by e-mail, with the original flight numbers.
- Copy of the claim to the airline, stamped (if a complaint has already been lodged).
- Invoices, tickets, receipts and any other documents proving any damages suffered as a result of the cancellation.
- A power of attorney (draft document shall be enclosed) to represent you before the airline.
Suggestions about what to do if your flight is cancelled:
- Keep your flight ticket/flight booking.
- Keep your original boarding pass, if you have already checked in.
- Do not give any original documents to the airline, even if they ask you to do so.
- Keep all tickets and/or bills for any expenses you may have incurred due to a cancellation: meals, taxis, hotels, etc.
- Make a formal complaint to the company, with a stamped copy.