Whenever flights get delayed or cancelled, it can be annoying and inconvenient for passengers. However, the EU has a regulation 261/2004 that helps protect passengers in these situations. Under EU261, if your flight is cancelled or delayed, the airline has to provide you with compensation and assistance.
Passenger Rights Under EU 261/2004
European Union Regulation 261 is the law that covers the rights of air passengers. More precisely, this regulation covers different situations, such as rebooking, delays, flight cancellations, etc., and requires airlines to handle individual cases with care and fairness. If the situation occurs due to the airline’s fault, any traveler who experienced certain inconveniences has a right to obtain compensation. Furthermore, passengers can receive certain benefits, which we will discuss further in the article.
Right to Compensation
European Union Regulation 261 contains regulations concerning the compensation process, including aid to people affected by issues with flights. Specifically, the amount of compensation you can be eligible for is up to 600 euros per passenger. This sum varies, according to your specific case.
Compensation for Caspian Airlines Flight Cancellation
First and foremost, travelers need to know that the airline is required to notify them about the flight cancellation. In case the airline notifies you under fourteen days before your scheduled departure and does not offer any alternative flight, the airline, according to the EU 261, is obligated to compensate you compensation of 250 – 600 euros.
At the same time, if a passenger is offered an alternative flight but arrives at his destination later than the original flight was supposed to, the passenger may also be eligible for compensation. The table below shows the airline’s obligations depending on the length of the delay:
| Under 2 hours | 2-3 hours | 3-4 hours | Over 4 hours | Never arrived | Distance |
| €125 | €250 | €250 | €250 | €250 | All flights 1,500 km or less |
| €200 | €200 | €400 | €400 | €400 | Internal EU flights over 1,500 km |
| €200 | €200 | €400 | €400 | €400 | Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km- 3,500 km |
| €300 | €300 | €300 | €600 | €600 | Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km |
Compensation for Caspian Airlines Flight Delay
When a flight is delayed for three or more hours, the airline is obligated to provide compensation. If the flight is delayed for five or more hours, the passenger can expect a ticket refund or an alternative flight to the final destination.
Furthermore, this is the case when the airline must also provide a passenger with beverages, some food, and accommodation. See key information about compensation in the table below:
| Less than 3 hours | Between 3-4 hours | Over 4 hours | Distance |
| €0 | €250 | €250 | All flights up to 1500 km |
| €0 | €400 | €400 | All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km |
| €0 | €400 | €400 | All intra-EU flights over 3500 km |
| €0 | €300 | €600 | All non-EU flights over 3500 km |
Right to Care
Right to Care refers to a specific aspect of EU Regulation 261/2004, which establishes common rules on assistance and compensation to passengers in cases of flight cancellations, long delays, or denied boarding.
The “Right to Care” under EU261 obliges airlines to provide certain services and assistance to passengers affected by significant delays or cancellations. These include:
- Food and beverages appropriate for the waiting time
- Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay becomes necessary
- Transport between the airport and the place of accommodation
- Emails or faxes and two free phone calls
Upgrading and Downgrading
When a passenger gets an alternative flight, it is important to be aware of upgrading and downgrading the flight’s class.
In cases, when the airline provides you with an upgraded class (for example, you booked Economy but were upgraded to Business class), you won’t be charged additional fees for this service.
Regarding downgrading in class (in case you booked a Business class ticket, but were downgraded to Economy), you can receive reimbursement. Here, it’s important to note that the amount of compensation is entirely based on the distance of a flight:
- 30% of the flight tickets cost for a 1,500 km distance or less;
- 50% of the flight tickets cost (specifically, for intra-EU flights that are over 1,500 km and all other flights with a 1,500 km and 3,500 km distance;
- 75% of the ticket price for flights with a 3,500+ km distance.
Consider that these rights cover all flights within the European Union, as well as flights departing from or arriving in the European Union operated by airlines based in the EU.
When Are You Not Entitled to Compensation?
Unfortunately, there are cases, when passengers aren’t eligible for compensation for cancelled or delayed flights. Specifically, we talk about extraordinary circumstances that are not within the airline’s control. A few examples are as follows:
- Bad weather conditions and natural disasters;
- Political circumstances (related security risks, terrorist attacks);
- A collision of the aircraft and foreign objects (birds, for instance);
- Unruly or very ill passengers;
- Strikes (that are not caused by the airline’s crew).
Furthermore, if the airline potentially could have done something to prevent problems with the flight and failed to handle the situation, you might be entitled to compensation.
Which Flights are Covered by EU 261/2004?
European Union Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from airports in the EU. It also applies to flights arriving in the EU if the airline originates in the EU. This includes airlines from EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
However, Caspian Airlines is not a European airline. Consequently, they don’t have to pay compensation if their flights operate outside of the European Union. This applies even to their flights to the European Union if they start outside the EU.
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing from the EU airports | ✔️ Yes |
| Flights arriving at the EU airports | ❌ No |
How to Claim Caspian Airlines Compensation
Flight cancellation or delay is an unpleasant situation that can not only upset you but also ruin all your travel plans. Passengers who unfortunately encounter a flight cancellation or delay should be aware of the process to claim compensation. To apply for compensation, follow these steps:
- Complete our form. You’ll need to provide details like your flight number, date, and the problem you faced.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We understand the EU laws comprehensively and will do our best to secure your compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.
Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations
Was your flight delayed or cancelled without a valid reason? Check our table for the latest flight delays and cancellations. Assess your right to compensation using our claim checker, and let us protect your rights and pursue compensation for you.
Did not find your flight in our table? Try our compensation form, and we will check it for you.
| Date | Airline (Flight number) | Route | Status | Your compensation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
09.05.202509:25 | Caspian Airlines 7909 | Istanbul (IST) Tabriz (TBZ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
