Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport Flight Delay and Cancellation Compensation

Flight cancellations and delays are the most frequent problems encountered by travelers. Luckily, the European Union has EU Regulation 261, which ensures that you, as a passenger, are not left in a difficult situation and that your rights are protected. The European Union Regulation 261/2004 defines the conditions under which passengers are eligible for compensation and assistance during flight disruption.

In this article, you will find everything you need to know about EU 261 regulation and when you are eligible for compensation.

Passenger Rights under EU 261/2004

According to EU Regulation 261/2004, travelers traveling to or from Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport on flights operated by EU-based airlines have specific rights when facing significant cancellations or delays. These rights include:

• Food and drinks: Airlines must provide proper meals and beverages during the waiting period.
• Access to means of communication: Passengers should be offered two free phone calls, emails, or faxes.
• Hotel accommodation if necessary: When an overnight stay is necessary, the airline must provide accommodation and transportation to and from the hotel.
• Ticket refund or alternative flight: Travelers can select from a full refund of their ticket or rebooking on an alternative flight to their final destination.
• Compensation: Depending on the flight distance and length of delay, passengers may be eligible for financial compensation between €250 to €600.

Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport Flight Delay Compensation

Flyers facing flight delays at Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport may be entitled to compensation of up to 600 euros per person, especially if the delay lasts longer than three hours. The eligibility for compensation is determined by the cause of the delay and whether it complies with UK and EU laws. The amount of compensation is based on the time of arrival at the destination rather than departure time and is influenced by the distance of the flight and the length of the delay.

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

Keep in mind that airlines are not required to provide compensation for flight delays resulting from extraordinary circumstances outside their control.

Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport Flight Cancellation Compensation

In case of a flight cancellation causing inconvenience at the Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport, under EU 261, travelers can get compensation of up to €600 if the airline notifies them of the cancellation less than 14 days before departure.

Nonetheless, there are exceptions to this regulation. The airline might be exempt from compensating passengers if it provides an alternative flight that meets specific criteria, letting you arrive at your destination with the minimal delay possible:

Advance Notice	Re-routing Requirements
14 Days	None
7 – 13 Days	Alternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flight
Less than 7 Days	Alternative flight departing no more than 1 hour before and arriving less than 2 hours after the original flight

Compensation might still be available even when you accept an alternative flight, provided your arrival at the final destination is significantly delayed. The compensation amount is determined by the distance of the flight and the duration of the delay. You can refer to the following table to figure out the amount of compensation you are entitled to:

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

Keep in mind that airlines usually don’t provide compensation for cancellations caused by extraordinary circumstances outside their control, such as severe weather or air traffic control strikes.

Which Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport Flights are Covered by EU261?

If you are departing from an airport in the European Union and flying with an airline flight originating in the EU, you are covered by EU Regulation 261/2004. This regulation ensures that you have certain rights in the event of a delay, flight cancellation, denied boarding, and other similar situations. Here’s a more detailed table of what situations are protected by EU Regulation 261 and which are not:

Itinerary	EU Airline	Non-EU Airline
Departures from Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport to anywhere	Yes	Yes
Arrivals at Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport from inside the EU	Yes	No
Arrivals at Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport from outside the EU	Yes	No

How to Claim Compensation from Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport

Flight delays and cancellations are common due to factors such as extreme weather conditions, air traffic congestion, technical problems, or staffing issues. If you experience a flight disruption at Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport, you may be entitled to compensation under European Union Regulation 261/2004.

To initiate a compensation claim, take the following steps:

1. Fill in our form. You’ll need to provide details like your flight number, date, and what went wrong.
2. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will manage the process. We understand the EU laws thoroughly and will do our best to secure your compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.

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