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 these situations. Under EU261, 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 regulation that deals with the rights of air passengers. More precisely, this law covers diverse cases, such as flight cancellations, delays, rebooking, etc., and obligates airlines to resolve individual cases with care and fairness. If the situation occurs due to the airline’s fault, any traveler who experienced certain inconveniences has a right to get compensation. Moreover, travelers may be eligible for certain benefits, which we will discuss further in the article.
Right to Compensation
European Union Regulation 261 encompasses regulations regarding the process of compensation, including aid for passengers who suffered from issues with flights. Specifically, the amount of compensation you can potentially get is up to 600 euros per person. This sum ranges, based on your circumstances.
Compensation for Yemenia Flight Cancellation
First and foremost, travelers should be aware that the airline is required to notify them about the cancellation of their flight. If the airline informs you less than fourteen days before your scheduled departure and does not offer any alternative flight, the airline, according to the EU 261, 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 original flight was supposed to, the passenger could be eligible for compensation. The table below shows the airline’s obligations depending on the duration 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 Yemenia Flight Delay
When a flight is delayed for three or more hours, the airline is obligated to pay compensation. If the flight is delayed for 5 hours or more, the passenger is entitled to a ticket refund or an alternative flight to the final destination.
Furthermore, this is the case when the airline must also provide a passenger with food, drinks, and accommodation. See key information 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 relates to a specific aspect of EU Regulation 261/2004, which sets out common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in cases of long delays, denied boarding, or flight cancellations.
The “Right to Care” under EU 261/2004 requires airlines to provide certain services and assistance to passengers affected by significant delays or cancellations. These include:
- Snacks and drinks 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 gets an alternative flight, it is important to be aware of upgrading and downgrading the flight’s class.
In situations, when the airline provides you with an upgraded class (for instance, you had Economy but were upgraded to Business class), you won’t be charged additional fees for this service.
Regarding downgrading in class (if you had a Business class flight, but were downgraded to Economy), you have a right to get reimbursement. Here, it’s important to note 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.
Keep in mind that these rights apply to any flights inside the European Union, as well as flights departing from or arriving in the European Union 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. Particularly, we refer to extraordinary circumstances that are outside of 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 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 Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from airports in the EU. It also covers 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.
Nevertheless, Yemenia is not a European airline. Therefore, they are not obliged to pay compensation if their flights operate outside of the European Union. This applies even to 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 Yemenia Compensation
Flight delay or cancellation 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 problem you faced.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will manage the process. We know the EU laws well and will strive to get you your compensation. You are only charged 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
30.05.202513:10 | Yemenia 853 | Dubai (DXB) Riyan Mukalla (RIY) | delayed | Claim Refund |
23.05.202513:10 | Yemenia 853 | Dubai (DXB) Riyan Mukalla (RIY) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202513:10 | Yemenia 853 | Dubai (DXB) Aden (ADE) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202508:50 | Yemenia 852 | Riyan Mukalla (RIY) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
