Flight delays and cancellations are the most common problems encountered by travelers. Fortunately, the European Union has EU Regulation 261/2004, which guarantees that you, as a passenger, are not left in a difficult situation and that your rights are protected. The European Union Regulation 261/2004 specifies the conditions when passengers are entitled to compensation and assistance during flight disruption.
In this article, you will discover everything you need to know about EU 261 regulation and under what circumstances you are entitled to compensation.
Passenger Rights under EU 261/2004
Under EU Regulation 261/2004, travelers departing from or arriving at Athens International Airport on flights operated by EU-based airlines have specific rights in case of significant delays or cancellations. 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 offered two free phone calls, emails, or faxes;
- Hotel accommodation if necessary: If an overnight stay is required, the airline is required to offer assistance, including hotel stays and transport to and from the hotel;
- Ticket refund or alternative flight: Travelers may select either a full refund of their ticket, including any extra costs, or rebooking on an alternative flight to their final destination;
- Compensation: If the delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances and was within the airline’s control, travelers could qualify for financial compensation ranging from €250 to €600, depending on the flight distance and length of the delay.
Athens International Airport Flight Delay Compensation
Passengers encountering flight delays at Athens International Airport could be eligible for compensation of up to 600 euros per person, especially if the delay lasts longer than three hours. The right to compensation is determined by the cause of the delay and whether it follows UK and EU laws. The amount of compensation is based on the time of arrival at the destination rather than departure time and is influenced by the distance of the flight and the length 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 flight delays due to extraordinary circumstances beyond their control.
Athens International Airport Flight Cancellation Compensation
In the event of a cancelled flight causing inconvenience at the Athens International Airport, under EU 261, travelers may receive compensation of up to €600 if the airline informs them less than 14 days before departure.
However, there are exceptions to this law. The airline could be exempt from compensating passengers if it provides an alternative flight that meets specific 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 |
Financial compensation may still be available even when you accept an alternative flight, provided your arrival at the final destination is significantly delayed. The compensation amount is calculated by the distance of the flight and the duration of the delay. You can refer to the table below to figure out the compensation amount you are eligible for:
| 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 typically don’t offer compensation for flight cancellations due to extraordinary circumstances outside their control, such as extreme weather conditions or strikes by air traffic controllers.
Which Athens International Airport Flights are Covered by EU261?
If you are departing from an airport within the European Union and flying on a flight originating in the EU operated by an airline, you are covered by EU Regulation 261/2004, which defines your air passenger rights. This regulation applies to both domestic and international flights and guarantees that you have certain rights in case of delays, flight cancellations, denied boarding, and other similar situations. Here’s a more detailed table of which situations are protected by EU Regulation 261:
| 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 often occur due to factors such as bad weather, air traffic congestion, technical problems, or crew shortages. If you experience a flight disruption at Athens International Airport, you may be entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004.
To initiate a compensation claim, proceed with these steps:
- Fill in this form. You’ll need to provide details like your flight number, date, and what went wrong.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will handle the rest. We understand the EU laws well and will strive to get you your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.
It is important to note that the compensation claim process requires documents such as booking confirmation and boarding pass.
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 |
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