Whenever flights get cancelled or delayed, it can be annoying and inconvenient for passengers. However, the EU has a regulation 261 that helps protect passengers in such situations. According to EU 261, if your flight is delayed or cancelled, the airline has to provide you with compensation and assistance.
Passenger Rights Under EU 261/2004
The EU 261 is the legislation that covers air passengers’ rights. Specifically, this regulation covers diverse cases, including rebooking, delays, flight cancellations, etc., and obligates 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 is entitled to obtain compensation. Moreover, passengers can receive 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 aid for passengers experiencing issues with flights. Specifically, the amount of compensation you can potentially get is up to 600 euros per person. This sum varies, based on your specific case.
Compensation for Nepal Airlines Flight Cancellation
First and foremost, travelers should be aware that the airline must inform them about the cancellation of their flight. If the airline notifies you under fourteen days before the date of your flight and does not provide 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 provided with an alternative flight but reaches his destination later than the scheduled arrival time of the original flight, the passenger may also be eligible for compensation. The table below shows the airline’s obligations based 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 Nepal Airlines Flight Delay
When a flight is delayed for 3+ hours, the airline is obligated to pay compensation. If the flight is delayed for 5 hours or more, the passenger can expect 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 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 pertains to a specific aspect of EU Regulation 261/2004, which establishes standard rules on compensation and assistance for travelers in the event of denied boarding, flight cancellations, or long delays.
The “Right to Care” under EU 261 obliges airlines to provide certain assistance and services to passengers facing significant delays or cancellations. These include:
- Meals and beverages appropriate for the waiting time
- Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay becomes necessary
- Transport between the airport and the place of accommodation
- Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes
Upgrading and Downgrading
When a passenger receives an alternative flight, it is important to know about upgrading and downgrading the flight’s class.
In situations, when the airline provides you with an upgraded class (for example, you had Economy but were upgraded to Business class), you will not be charged extra for this service.
Regarding downgrading in class (if you had a Business class flight, but were downgraded to Economy), you can get reimbursement. Here, you should be aware 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.
Keep in mind 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 delayed or cancelled flights. Specifically, we talk about extraordinary circumstances that are beyond the airline’s control. Some of the 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 might have been able to do something to prevent problems with the flight and failed to handle the situation, you may be eligible for compensation.
Which Flights are Covered by EU 261/2004?
EU 261 covers all flights departing from European Union 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.
However, Nepal Airlines isn’t 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 Nepal 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 seek compensation. To apply for compensation, follow these steps:
- Complete this form. You’ll need to provide details such as your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will handle the rest. We know the EU laws well and will strive to get you your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.