Delayed and cancelled flights are the most frequent problems experienced by travelers. Fortunately, the European Union has EU Regulation 261, which guarantees that you, as a passenger, are not left in a difficult situation and that your rights are protected. The EU Regulation 261/2004 specifies the situations when passengers are entitled to compensation and assistance in the event of flight disruption.
In this article, you will discover everything you need to know about Regulation EU261 and in which situations you are eligible for compensation.
Passenger Rights under EU 261/2004
According to EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers traveling to or from Athens International Airport on flights operated by EU-based airlines have specific rights in case of significant cancellations or delays. These rights include:
- Food and drinks: Airlines must provide proper meals and refreshments during the waiting period.
- Access to means of communication: Passengers should be provided two free phone calls, emails, or faxes.
- Hotel accommodation if necessary: When an overnight stay is needed, the airline is obligated to provide accommodation and transportation to and from the hotel.
- Ticket refund or alternative flight: Travelers may select from a full refund of their ticket or rebooking on an alternative flight to their final destination.
- Compensation: Based on the flight distance and length of delay, passengers may be eligible for financial compensation between €250 to €600.
Athens International Airport Flight Delay Compensation
Passengers experiencing flight delays at Athens International Airport may be entitled to compensation of up to 600 euros per person, especially if the delay lasts longer than three hours. The eligibility for compensation is determined by the reason for the delay and whether it complies with UK and EU regulations. The amount of compensation is calculated on the time of arrival at the destination rather than departure time and is influenced by the distance of the flight and the duration of the delay.
| 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 that airlines are not obligated to provide compensation for delays due to extraordinary circumstances beyond their control.
Athens International Airport Flight Cancellation Compensation
In the event of a flight cancellation causing inconvenience at the Athens International Airport, under EU 261, passengers may receive compensation of up to €600 if the airline notifies them of the cancellation less than 14 days before departure.
Nevertheless, there are exceptions to this law. The airline may be exempt from compensating passengers if it provides an alternative flight that meets certain criteria, letting you arrive at your destination with the minimal delay possible:
| 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 |
Compensation might still be available even if you agree to an alternative flight, provided your arrival at the final destination is significantly delayed. The compensation amount is determined by the flight distance and the length of the delay. You can refer to the table below to figure out the amount of compensation you are entitled to:
| 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 |
Keep in mind that airlines usually don’t provide compensation for cancellations caused by extraordinary circumstances outside their control, such as extreme weather conditions or air traffic control strikes.
Which Athens International Airport Flights are Covered by EU261?
If you are departing from an airport in the European Union and traveling on an airline flight from the EU, you are protected under EU Regulation 261/2004. This regulation ensures that you have certain rights in the event of a delay, flight cancellation, denied boarding, and related issues. Here’s a more detailed table of which cases are protected by EU Regulation 261 and which are not:
| Itinerary | EU Airline | Non-EU Airline |
| Departures from Athens International Airport to anywhere | Yes | Yes |
| Arrivals at Athens International Airport from inside the EU | Yes | No |
| Arrivals at Athens International Airport from outside the EU | Yes | No |
How to Claim Compensation from Athens International Airport
Flight delays and cancellations are common due to factors such as bad weather, air traffic congestion, mechanical problems, or crew shortages. If you experience a flight disruption at Athens International Airport, you could be eligible for compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004.
To initiate a compensation claim, take the following steps:
- Complete our 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 get you your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.
Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations
Was your flight delayed or cancelled? Find your flight in the table below and use our claims checker to see if you are eligible for compensation.
Did not find your flight in our table? Fill in our compensation form, and we will check it for you.
| Date | Flight number | Route | Status | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
05.07.202512:05 | SriLankan Airlines 3040 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.07.202512:05 | Bulgaria Air 1905 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.07.202512:05 | RwandAir 1463 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.07.202512:05 | Virgin Australia 6207 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.07.202512:05 | Qatar Airways 212 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.07.202512:05 | Cathay Pacific 9262 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.07.202512:05 | Malaysia Airlines 9284 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.07.202511:10 | Arkia Israeli Airlines 216 | () Ben Gurion International (TLV) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.07.202509:50 | Sky Express 420 | () Zakinthos International Airport (ZTH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.07.202509:15 | Aegean Airlines 696 | () Mérignac (BOD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.07.202509:15 | Volotea 5141 | () Mérignac (BOD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.07.202508:45 | empty | () Ben Gurion International (TLV) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.07.202507:20 | Olympic Air 20 | () Milos (MLO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.07.202507:20 | Aegean Airlines 7020 | () Milos (MLO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202523:10 | Olympic Air 228 | () Kos Island International Airport (KGS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202520:10 | Emirates 4957 | () Limnos (LXS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202520:10 | Aegean Airlines 266 | () Limnos (LXS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202519:40 | Aegean Airlines 7052 | () Zakinthos International Airport (ZTH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202519:40 | Olympic Air 52 | () Zakinthos International Airport (ZTH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202519:10 | Malta MedAir 274 | () Henri Coanda International (BUH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202517:40 | Blue Bird Airways 703 | () Ben Gurion International (TLV) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202517:25 | Sky Express 214 | () Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202516:50 | Saudia 6911 | () Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202516:50 | Aegean Airlines 318 | () Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202516:50 | Emirates 4915 | () Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202516:35 | SWISS 1839 | () Zurich (ZRH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202516:35 | Aegean Airlines 1986 | () Zurich (ZRH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202514:55 | Saudia 196 | () King Khaled International (RUH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202514:55 | Aegean Airlines 3283 | () King Khaled International (RUH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202513:25 | Aegean Airlines 314 | () Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202513:25 | Air Canada 5705 | () Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202513:00 | Olympic Air 42 | () Kithira (KIT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202513:00 | Aegean Airlines 7042 | () Kithira (KIT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202511:50 | Eurowings 9681 | () Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202511:45 | Brussels Airlines 3246 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202511:45 | Aegean Airlines 3001 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202511:25 | Aegean Airlines 308 | () Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202511:25 | Air Canada 5715 | () Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202511:20 | SkyUp Airlines 352 | () International Airport Chisinau (KIV) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202510:50 | easyJet 1146 | () Euroairport France (EAP) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202510:45 | Sky Express 800 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202510:35 | Sky Express 890 | () Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202510:30 | Wizz Air 2442 | () Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202510:05 | Sky Express 20 | () Syros Island (JSY) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202510:00 | Aegean Airlines 306 | () Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202509:45 | Eurowings 3069 | () Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202509:45 | Aegean Airlines 840 | () Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202509:35 | Ryanair 1242 | () Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202508:20 | Aegean Airlines 958 | () Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (DXB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202508:20 | Emirates 4952 | () Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (DXB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202508:00 | Aegean Airlines 304 | () Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202508:00 | Life Line Aviation 401 | () Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202507:45 | Aegean Airlines 7048 | () Skiros (SKU) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202507:45 | Olympic Air 48 | () Skiros (SKU) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202507:10 | Sky Express 210 | () Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202506:25 | Swiftair 70 | () Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202521:36 | NetJets Aviation | () Sandro Pertini (caselle) (TRN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202518:30 | NetJets Aviation | () Palese (BRI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202517:00 | empty | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202516:45 | Sky Express 450 | () Ikaria (JIK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202516:40 | Aegean Airlines 622 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202516:40 | Brussels Airlines 6524 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202516:40 | SAS 8460 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202513:25 | Aegean Airlines 314 | () Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202513:25 | Air Canada 5705 | () Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202512:35 | Brussels Airlines 3246 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202512:35 | Aegean Airlines 3001 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202510:45 | Sky Express 800 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202510:00 | Aegean Airlines 306 | () Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202508:00 | Aegean Airlines 304 | () Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202507:35 | Aegean Airlines 968 | () International Airport Chisinau (KIV) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202507:30 | Volotea 5108 | () Malta International (MLA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202507:30 | Aegean Airlines 730 | () Malta International (MLA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202520:55 | Sky Express 216 | () Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202520:15 | Aegean Airlines 320 | () Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202518:45 | Ryanair 5652 | () Dublin International (DUB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202518:05 | Emirates 210 | () Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (DXB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202518:05 | Aegean Airlines 3414 | () Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (DXB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202518:05 | Qantas 8210 | () Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (DXB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202517:50 | Aegean Airlines 822 | () Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202517:25 | Sky Express 214 | () Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202517:05 | Ryanair 1242 | () Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202517:00 | AirGO Private Airline | () Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202516:50 | Aegean Airlines 318 | () Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202516:50 | Emirates 4915 | () Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202516:50 | Saudia 6911 | () Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202516:45 | Sky Express 450 | () Ikaria (JIK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202516:40 | Aegean Airlines 622 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202516:40 | SAS 8460 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202516:40 | Brussels Airlines 6524 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202515:25 | NetJets Aviation | () Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202513:55 | Bulgaria Air 1907 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202513:55 | SriLankan Airlines 3030 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202513:55 | Virgin Australia 6034 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202513:55 | Qatar Airways 204 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202513:55 | Cathay Pacific 9230 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202513:55 | Malaysia Airlines 9280 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202513:55 | RwandAir 1459 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202513:25 | Aegean Airlines 314 | () Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202513:25 | Air Canada 5705 | () Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
