Air Albania Compensation and Reimbursement for Cancelled and Delayed Flights

Whenever flights are cancelled or delayed, it can be annoying and inconvenient for passengers. However, the EU has a regulation 261 that helps protect passengers in these situations. Under EU261/2004, if your flight is disrupted, the airline has to provide you with compensation and assistance.

Passenger Rights Under EU 261/2004

EU Regulation 261 is the legislation that deals with air passengers’ rights. Specifically, this legislation covers different situations, such as rebooking, delays, flight cancellations, etc., and requires airlines to resolve individual cases with fairness and care. If the situation occurs due to the airline’s fault, any passenger who underwent certain inconveniences has a right to receive compensation. Furthermore, passengers can receive certain benefits, which we will discuss further in the article.

Right to Compensation

European Union Regulation 261 encompasses rules regarding the process of compensation, including aid to people experiencing flight problems. In particular, the amount of compensation you can be eligible for is up to 600 euros per person. This sum varies, based on your specific case.

Compensation for Air Albania Flight Cancellation

First and foremost, travelers need to know that the airline is required to notify them about the cancellation of their flight. If the airline informs you under fourteen days before the date of your flight and does not provide any alternative flight, the airline, according to the EU 261/2004, is obligated to compensate you compensation of 250 – 600 euros.

At the same time, if a passenger is provided with an alternative flight but reaches 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 according to 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 Air Albania Flight Delay

When a flight is delayed for 3+ hours, the airline is required to pay compensation. If the flight is delayed for five or more hours, the passenger is entitled to a ticket refund or an alternative flight to the final destination.

Furthermore, in such situations, the airline also must provide a passenger with refreshments, meals, and accommodation. See essential details 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 pertains to a specific aspect of European Union Regulation 261/2004, which sets out common rules on assistance and compensation to passengers in cases of long delays, denied boarding, or flight cancellations.

The “Right to Care” under EU 261 obliges airlines to provide certain assistance and services to passengers affected by significant delays or cancellations. These include:

• Food and beverages appropriate to the waiting time
• Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay becomes necessary
• Transport between the airport and the hotel
• Emails or faxes and two free phone calls

Upgrading and Downgrading

In situations where a passenger receives an alternative flight, it is helpful to know about upgrading and downgrading the flight’s class.

In cases, when the airline provides you with a higher class (for instance, you booked Economy but were upgraded to Business class), you will not have to pay extra for this service.

Regarding downgrading in class (in case you booked a Business class flight, but were downgraded to Economy), you have a right to get reimbursement. Here, it is worth mentioning that the amount of compensation is determined by 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.

Be aware that these rights cover any flights inside the European Union, as well as flights departing from or arriving in the European Union 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 beyond 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).

Moreover, if the airline potentially could have done something to avoid issues regarding the flight and failed to handle the situation, you can claim compensation.

Which Flights are Covered by EU 261/2004?

EU Regulation 261 applies to all flights departing from European Union airports. 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, Air Albania is not a European airline. Therefore, they aren’t required to pay compensation if their flights operate outside of the European Union. This is true even for 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 Air Albania Compensation

Flight cancellation or delay is an unpleasant situation that can not only upset you but also ruin all your travel plans. Those who are unlucky enough to face a flight cancellation or delay should be aware of the process to claim compensation. To apply for compensation, follow these steps:

1. Complete our form. You’ll need to provide details including your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered.
2. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We understand the EU laws well and will make every effort to get you your compensation. You are only charged if we win your case.

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