RwandAir Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Passengers of RwandAir who have experienced a cancelled or delayed flight have a legal right to compensation. Under EU Regulation 261/2004, airlines must compensate passengers when there is a significant disruption. Here, we’ll examine your rights and the steps you need to take to get the compensation you deserve from the airline.

RwandAir Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation

Before claiming the RwandAir compensation, you should be aware of the conditions and the amount of compensation you may expect to get in the event of delay or flight cancellation.

RwandAir Compensation for Flight Delay

According to UK and EU laws, passengers may be entitled to up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight is delayed. It’s crucial to note that this flight delay compensation is calculated using the flight’s landing time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim hinges on the actual time you reach your destination airport.

Here’s an overview of how much compensation you may receive if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation varies based on various criteria, including the duration of the delay and the route length of your flight:

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 you may not always receive compensation for every flight delay. RwandAir is not obliged to compensate passengers when extraordinary circumstances outside their control happen. This includes severe weather conditions, airport issues, or a strike by air traffic controllers. In such situations, you will generally not be given compensation as it is not the airline’s fault.

RwandAir Compensation for Flight Cancellation

EU Regulation 261/2004 states that airlines have to notify passengers of flight cancellations at least 14 days before departure. If the airline fails to notify you in time, you could qualify for flight cancellation compensation ranging from €250 to €600 per passenger, according to the flight distance. Nonetheless, if the airline provides you with an alternate flight, it could potentially avoid paying compensation for the cancelled flight if the following conditions are met:

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

Even when accepting another flight, passengers retain their entitlement to compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The amount of compensation is calculated based on two criteria: the flight distance and the length of the delay, in line with the table provided below:

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

RwandAir isn’t required to compensate you if they offer an alternative flight that departs and arrives close to the same time as your original flight. Moreover, you generally won’t receive compensation if the flight is cancelled due to circumstances beyond the airline’s control, such as adverse weather conditions or when airline staff goes on strike.

Are RwandAir Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?

EU Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from EU airports. It also covers flights arriving in the EU if the airline is based in the EU. This includes airlines from European Union member states as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

However, RwandAir is not a European airline. Therefore, they aren’t required to pay you compensation if their flights operate outside of Europe. This is true even for their flights to Europe if they start outside the EU.

Itinerary	Covered by EU 261
Flights departing from EU airports	✔️ Yes
Flights arriving at EU airports	❌ No

How to Claim Compensation from RwandAir

If your travel plans have been affected by a flight cancellation or delay with RwandAir, it’s crucial to understand that you might be entitled to compensation under EU laws. That’s why it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the process of claiming compensation. Here’s what you need to do:

• Fill in this 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 manage the process. We know the EU laws thoroughly and will do our best to obtain your rightful compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.

These steps will assist you in filing your claim quickly and increase your chances of receiving the compensation you’re owed. You might have plenty of time after your flight to make a claim, but it’s best to file it as soon as you can while you still remember all the details.

What You Can Get Besides EU Flight Compensation

RwandAir goes the additional mile to help passengers during travel disruptions by offering services that complement flight compensation.

Right to Care

When flight disruptions happen, RwandAir is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. This right, established under EU 261, becomes applicable when flight delays exceed two hours. The services provided include:

• Food and Drinks: Passengers are provided with food and drinks appropriate to the length of delay. This may include vouchers for airport restaurants or direct distribution of snacks and drinks.
• Communication: RwandAir offers two free phone calls, emails, or fax messages to keep passengers connected with family or business contacts.
• Accommodation: If the delay extends for the night or requires an additional stay, RwandAir provides hotel room accommodation. This includes transportation between the airport and the hotel.
• Special Assistance: Extra care is given to passengers with reduced mobility or special needs.

To access these services, you can simply approach airport staff at the airport for immediate assistance.

Rebooking and Refunds

When RwandAir cancels a flight, passengers can choose to receive a full refund or rebook on an alternative flight. This option is essential for minimizing travel interruptions and assisting passengers to manage unforeseen circumstances effectively.

• Full Refund: if you request a refund, you can get full reimbursement for the parts of your trip that you didn’t use, including any tickets you only partly used. Also, if the cancellation means your trip no longer serves its original purpose, you may get a flight back to where you first started at the earliest chance.
• Rebooking: if you choose to continue your trip, RwandAir will provide rebooking on the next available flight to your destination. You also have the option to choose an alternative route if there are seats available. If the next available flight is scheduled for the following day or later, RwandAir shall arrange accommodation and transfers as needed. Additionally, you have the right to be rebooked, even in a higher class, at no additional cost to you if that’s the only available option.

It’s crucial to keep in mind some additional considerations. If you’re rebooked on a lower class than originally booked, you’re entitled to a partial refund of the cost difference. Furthermore, if your booking involves connecting flights, RwandAir shall help in rebooking your entire journey, not just the cancelled segment.

Whether opting for a refund or arranging a new flight, the procedures are designed to make this process as easy as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.

Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations