Whenever flights get cancelled or delayed, it can be frustrating and inconvenient for passengers. However, the EU has a regulation 261/2004 that helps protect passengers in such situations. According to 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
EU Regulation 261 is the regulation that deals with air passengers’ rights. In particular, this law covers diverse cases, including delays, flight cancellations, rebooking, etc., and requires airlines to resolve individual cases with fairness and care. If the incident happens because of the airline’s fault, any passenger who underwent certain inconveniences has a right to obtain compensation. Furthermore, passengers may be entitled to certain benefits, which we will discuss further in the article.
Right to Compensation
EU Regulation 261 includes regulations regarding the compensation process, including aid to people who suffered from air travel disruptions. Specifically, the amount of compensation you can be eligible for is up to 600 euros per person. This sum ranges, based on your specific case.
Compensation for Syrian Air Flight Cancellation
First and foremost, passengers should be aware that the airline is required to notify them about the cancellation of their flight. In case the airline informs you under fourteen days before your scheduled departure 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 Syrian Air Flight Delay
When a flight is delayed for three or more hours, the airline is obligated to provide compensation. If the flight is delayed for 5 hours or more, the passenger is entitled to a ticket refund or another flight to the final destination.
Furthermore, this is the case when the airline is also required to provide a passenger with beverages, some food, and accommodation. See essential details on 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 sets out common rules on assistance and compensation to passengers in the event of denied boarding, flight cancellations, or long delays.
The “Right to Care” under EU 261 requires airlines to provide certain assistance and services to passengers facing significant delays or cancellations. These include:
- Snacks and beverages appropriate for the waiting time
- Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay becomes necessary
- Transport between the airport and the place of accommodation
- Emails or faxes and two free phone calls
Upgrading and Downgrading
In situations where a passenger gets 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 additional fees for this service.
Regarding downgrading in class (in case you booked a Business class flight, but were downgraded to Economy), you can obtain 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.
Consider that these rights cover all flights 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 situations, when passengers will not receive compensation for delayed or cancelled 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 might have been able to do something to prevent issues regarding the flight and failed to handle the situation, you might be entitled to compensation.
Which Flights are Covered by EU 261/2004?
European Union Regulation 261 applies to 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 EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
However, Syrian Air is not a European airline. Therefore, they are not obliged 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 Syrian Air 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 delay or cancellation should understand the steps to claim 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 take over. We are well-versed in the EU laws well and will make every effort to secure your compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.
Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations
Was your flight delayed or cancelled without a valid reason? Check our table for the latest flight delays and cancellations. Assess your right to compensation using our claim checker, and let us protect your rights and pursue compensation for you.
Did not find your flight in our table? Try our compensation form, and we will check it for you.
| Date | Airline (Flight number) | Route | Status | Your compensation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
19.06.202513:00 | Syrian Air 516 | Dubai (DXB) Damascus (DAM) | cancelled | Claim Refund |
18.06.202506:50 | Syrian Air 515 | Damascus (DAM) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
15.06.202512:00 | Syrian Air 516 | Dubai (DXB) Damascus (DAM) | cancelled | Claim Refund |
15.06.202506:50 | Syrian Air 515 | Damascus (DAM) Dubai (DXB) | cancelled | Claim Refund |
14.06.202513:00 | Syrian Air 516 | Dubai (DXB) Damascus (DAM) | cancelled | Claim Refund |
12.06.202513:00 | Syrian Air 516 | Dubai (DXB) Damascus (DAM) | delayed | Claim Refund |
08.06.202506:50 | Syrian Air 515 | Damascus (DAM) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
01.06.202506:50 | Syrian Air 515 | Damascus (DAM) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
30.05.202512:20 | Syrian Air 516 | Dubai (DXB) Damascus (DAM) | delayed | Claim Refund |
23.05.202512:20 | Syrian Air 516 | Dubai (DXB) Damascus (DAM) | delayed | Claim Refund |
