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 | Airline (Flight number) | Route | Status | Your compensation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
21.06.202513:35 | Ryanair 2610 | () John Paul II Balice International (KRK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
21.06.202507:30 | Aegean Airlines 7044 | () Sitia (JSH) | delayed | Claim Refund |
21.06.202507:30 | Olympic Air 44 | () Sitia (JSH) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202520:10 | Olympic Air 166 | () Ioannina (IOA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202516:15 | NetJets Aviation | () () | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202513:00 | Aegean Airlines 7042 | () Kithira (KIT) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202513:00 | Olympic Air 42 | () Kithira (KIT) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202511:05 | easyJet 1146 | () Euroairport France (EAP) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202510:45 | Sky Express 800 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202508:40 | Aegean Airlines 820 | () Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202507:30 | Olympic Air 44 | () Sitia (JSH) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202507:30 | Aegean Airlines 7044 | () Sitia (JSH) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.06.202521:00 | Sky Express 440 | () Kithira (KIT) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.06.202517:50 | Aegean Airlines 822 | () Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.06.202517:25 | Aegean Airlines 878 | () Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.06.202516:45 | Sky Express 450 | () Ikaria (JIK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.06.202507:40 | Aegean Airlines 620 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.06.202507:40 | SAS 8458 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.06.202507:40 | Brussels Airlines 6502 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
18.06.202520:10 | Olympic Air 166 | () Ioannina (IOA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
18.06.202510:35 | Wizz Air 2442 | () Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
18.06.202508:20 | Aegean Airlines 958 | () Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
18.06.202508:20 | Emirates 4952 | () Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
18.06.202506:00 | Euroavia Airlines 3403 | () () | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202523:55 | Fly-Coop Air Service | () Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202519:00 | Sky Express 440 | () Kithira (KIT) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202518:05 | Emirates 210 | () Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202518:05 | Aegean Airlines 3414 | () Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202518:05 | Qantas 8210 | () Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202517:00 | empty | () () | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202516:30 | Aegean Airlines 868 | () John Paul II Balice International (KRK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202515:05 | Brussels Airlines 3246 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202515:05 | Aegean Airlines 3001 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202511:00 | Ryanair Sun 2610 | () John Paul II Balice International (KRK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.06.202508:05 | Aegean Airlines 878 | () Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202518:05 | Qantas 8210 | () Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202518:05 | Aegean Airlines 3414 | () Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202518:05 | Emirates 210 | () Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202516:40 | Aegean Airlines 622 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202516:40 | Brussels Airlines 6524 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202516:40 | SAS 8460 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202516:00 | Sky Express 890 | () Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202515:00 | empty | () Lugano (LUG) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202513:00 | Aegean Airlines 7042 | () Kithira (KIT) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202513:00 | Olympic Air 42 | () Kithira (KIT) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202510:45 | Sky Express 800 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202507:45 | Olympic Air 48 | () Skiros (SKU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202507:45 | Aegean Airlines 7048 | () Skiros (SKU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202507:30 | Olympic Air 44 | () Sitia (JSH) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.06.202507:30 | Aegean Airlines 7044 | () Sitia (JSH) | delayed | Claim Refund |
15.06.202520:10 | Olympic Air 166 | () Ioannina (IOA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
15.06.202516:10 | Sky Express 450 | () Ikaria (JIK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
15.06.202510:35 | Ryanair Sun 2610 | () John Paul II Balice International (KRK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
15.06.202510:33 | Life Line Aviation 101 | () Skiros (SKU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
15.06.202510:05 | Sky Express 20 | () Syros Island (JSY) | delayed | Claim Refund |
15.06.202509:45 | Eurowings 3069 | () Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) | delayed | Claim Refund |
15.06.202509:45 | Aegean Airlines 840 | () Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) | delayed | Claim Refund |
15.06.202507:00 | Euroavia Airlines 3403 | () () | delayed | Claim Refund |
14.06.202522:05 | Copenhagen Airtaxi 752 | () Aalborg (AAL) | delayed | Claim Refund |
14.06.202513:35 | Ryanair Sun 2610 | () John Paul II Balice International (KRK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
14.06.202513:15 | NetJets Aviation | () Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
14.06.202509:25 | Ryanair Sun 1242 | () Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
14.06.202507:05 | Olympic Air 44 | () Sitia (JSH) | delayed | Claim Refund |
14.06.202507:05 | Aegean Airlines 7044 | () Sitia (JSH) | delayed | Claim Refund |
13.06.202520:10 | Olympic Air 166 | () Ioannina (IOA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
13.06.202519:55 | Aegean Airlines 266 | () Limnos (LXS) | delayed | Claim Refund |
13.06.202519:55 | Emirates 4957 | () Limnos (LXS) | delayed | Claim Refund |
13.06.202518:05 | Qantas 8210 | () Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
13.06.202518:05 | Emirates 210 | () Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
13.06.202518:05 | Aegean Airlines 3414 | () Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
13.06.202513:00 | Olympic Air 42 | () Kithira (KIT) | delayed | Claim Refund |
13.06.202513:00 | Aegean Airlines 7042 | () Kithira (KIT) | delayed | Claim Refund |
13.06.202510:35 | Aegean Airlines 7048 | () Skiros (SKU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
13.06.202510:35 | Olympic Air 48 | () Skiros (SKU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
13.06.202510:05 | Sky Express 20 | () Syros Island (JSY) | delayed | Claim Refund |
13.06.202508:00 | Brussels Airlines 6502 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
13.06.202508:00 | SAS 8458 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
13.06.202508:00 | Aegean Airlines 620 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
13.06.202507:05 | Emirates 232 | () Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
12.06.202523:25 | easyJet 2804 | () Bristol (BRS) | delayed | Claim Refund |
12.06.202521:00 | Sky Express 440 | () Kithira (KIT) | delayed | Claim Refund |
12.06.202517:25 | Aegean Airlines 878 | () Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
12.06.202510:45 | Sky Express 800 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
12.06.202509:00 | Wizz Air 2442 | () Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
12.06.202508:40 | Aegean Airlines 820 | () Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) | delayed | Claim Refund |
12.06.202508:00 | Brussels Airlines 6502 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
12.06.202508:00 | Aegean Airlines 620 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
12.06.202508:00 | SAS 8458 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
11.06.202520:25 | Pegasus 1194 | () Sabiha Gokcen (IST) | delayed | Claim Refund |
11.06.202515:40 | Brussels Airlines 3246 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
11.06.202515:40 | Aegean Airlines 3001 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
11.06.202513:00 | Aegean Airlines 7042 | () Kithira (KIT) | delayed | Claim Refund |
11.06.202513:00 | Olympic Air 42 | () Kithira (KIT) | delayed | Claim Refund |
11.06.202512:00 | VistaJet 683 | () Salcea (SCV) | delayed | Claim Refund |
11.06.202510:55 | easyJet 1886 | () Mérignac (BOD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
11.06.202508:00 | SAS 8458 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
11.06.202508:00 | Aegean Airlines 620 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
11.06.202508:00 | Brussels Airlines 6502 | () Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
11.06.202507:30 | Aegean Airlines 7044 | () Sitia (JSH) | delayed | Claim Refund |
11.06.202507:30 | Olympic Air 44 | () Sitia (JSH) | delayed | Claim Refund |
