Passengers of RwandAir who have faced a cancelled or delayed flight are legally entitled to compensation. Under EU 261, an airline is obliged to compensate passengers in case of a significant disruption. Here, we will look at your rights and the steps you should follow to obtain the compensation you are entitled to 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 case of delay or flight cancellation. RwandAir Compensation for Flight Delay In line with UK and EU regulations, passengers are eligible for up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight arrives late. It’s essential to note, that this delay compensation depends on the flight’s arrival time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim relies on the actual time you reach your final destination. Let’s take a look at how much compensation you can get if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation depends on several factors, such as the duration of the delay and the route length of your flight: Less than 3 hoursBetween 3-4 hoursFour hours +Distance0€250€250All flights up to 1500 km0€400€400All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km0€400€400All intra-EU flights over 3500 km0€300€600All non-EU flights over 3500 km Keep in mind you might not receive compensation for every flight delay. RwandAir isn’t required to provide compensation when extraordinary circumstances they cannot control arise. This covers bad weather, problems at the airport, or air traffic controller strikes. In these instances, 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 inform passengers of flight cancellations at least 14 days before the scheduled flight. If the airline doesn’t provide timely notification, you might be eligible for compensation of between €250 and €600 per passenger, depending on the distance of the flight. Nevertheless, if the airline provides you with an alternate flight, it could potentially avoid compensation for the cancelled flight if the following conditions are met: Advance NoticeRe-routing Requirements14 DaysNone7 – 13 DaysAlternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flightLess than 7 DaysAlternative flight departing no more than 1 hour before and arriving less than 2 hours after the original flight When accepting a different flight, passengers retain their right to compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The compensation amount is determined based on two factors: the distance of the flight and the length of the delay, in line with the table provided below: 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 RwandAir doesn’t have to compensate you if they provide 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 workers go on strike. Are RwandAir Flights Covered By EU 261/2004? European Union Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from EU airports. It also applies to flights arriving in the EU if the airline originates 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 are not obliged to pay you compensation if their flights operate outside of Europe. This applies even to their flights to Europe if they start outside the EU. ItineraryCovered by EU 261Flights departing from EU airports✔️ YesFlights arriving at EU airports❌ No How to Claim Compensation from RwandAir If your travel plans have been affected by a flight delay or cancellation with RwandAir, it’s important to understand that you might be entitled to compensation under EU regulations. This is why it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the process of claiming compensation. Here’s what you need to do: Complete 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 take over. We understand the EU laws comprehensively and will make every effort to secure your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case. These steps will help you file your claim quickly and improve your chances of getting the compensation you’re entitled to. There may be plenty of time after your flight to submit a claim, but it’s best to do 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 providing 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. The right, established under EU Regulation 261/2004, becomes applicable when flight delays exceed two hours. The services provided include: Food and Drinks: Passengers are provided with meals and beverages 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 arranges hotel accommodation. This covers 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 airline staff at the airport for instant assistance. Rebooking and Refunds When RwandAir cancels a flight, passengers have the option to get a full refund or rebook on another flight. This flexibility is crucial for minimizing travel interruptions and helping passengers to manage unforeseen circumstances successfully. 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 journey, 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 will 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 essential 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 choosing a refund or arranging a new flight, the procedures are designed to make this process as smooth as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.