Whenever flights are cancelled or delayed, it can be frustrating and inconvenient for passengers. However, the European Union has a regulation 261/2004 that helps protect passengers in these situations. Under EU 261/2004, 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 regulation that deals with air passengers’ rights. In particular, this legislation covers diverse cases, such as flight cancellations, delays, rebooking, etc., and requires airlines to resolve individual cases with care and fairness. If the situation occurs as a result of the airline’s fault, any traveler who experienced certain inconveniences is entitled to receive compensation. Furthermore, passengers may be entitled to certain benefits, which we will discuss further in the article. Right to Compensation European Union Regulation 261 contains regulations concerning the process of compensation, including assistance to travelers affected by issues with flights. Specifically, the amount of compensation you can expect to receive is up to 600 euros per passenger. This sum ranges, depending on your circumstances. Compensation for Cabo Verde Airlines Flight Cancellation First and foremost, travelers should be aware that the airline is required to notify them about the flight cancellation. If the airline informs you under fourteen days before your flight date and does not offer any alternative flight, the airline, according to the EU 261/2004, must pay 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 scheduled arrival time of the original flight, the passenger might be entitled to compensation. The table below shows the airline’s obligations depending on the duration of the delay: Under 2 hours2-3 hours3-4 hoursOver 4 hoursNever arrivedDistance€125€250€250€250€250All flights 1,500 km or less€200€200€400€400€400Internal EU flights over 1,500 km€200€200€400€400€400Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km- 3,500 km€300€300€300€600€600Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km Compensation for Cabo Verde Airlines Flight Delay When a flight is delayed for 3+ hours, the airline is obligated to provide compensation. If the flight is delayed for five or more hours, the passenger is entitled to a ticket refund or another flight to the final destination. Furthermore, in such situations, the airline also must provide a passenger with food, drinks, and accommodation. See essential details on compensation in the table below: Less than 3 hoursBetween 3-4 hoursOver 4 hoursDistance€0€250€250All flights up to 1500 km€0€400€400All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km€0€400€400All intra-EU flights over 3500 km€0€300€600All non-EU flights over 3500 km Right to Care Right to Care relates to a specific aspect of EU Regulation 261/2004, which establishes common rules on compensation and assistance for travelers in the event of long delays, denied boarding, or flight cancellations. The “Right to Care” under EU261 requires airlines to provide certain assistance and services to passengers facing significant delays or cancellations. These include: Meals 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 good 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 upgrade. Regarding downgrading in class (in case you booked a Business class flight, but were downgraded to Economy), you are entitled to receive reimbursement. In this case, it is worth mentioning that the amount of compensation fully depends 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 every flight 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 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). In addition, if the airline might have been able to do something to avoid issues regarding the flight and failed to handle the situation, you may be eligible for compensation. Which Flights are Covered by EU 261/2004? EU Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from EU airports. This regulation also extends to flights arriving in the EU if the airline is based in the EU. This includes airlines from EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. Nevertheless, Cabo Verde Airlines isn’t a European airline. Therefore, they don’t have 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. ItineraryCovered by EU 261Flights departing from the EU airports✔️ YesFlights arriving at the EU airports❌ No How to Claim Cabo Verde Airlines Compensation Flight cancellation or delay can be a frustrating experience 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 understand the steps to claim compensation. To apply for compensation, follow these steps: Fill in this form. You’ll need to provide details such as your flight number, date, and what went wrong. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will manage the process. We know the EU laws thoroughly and will make every effort to secure your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.