Belfast International Airport Flight Delay and Cancellation Compensation

Delayed and cancelled flights are the most common issues encountered by travelers. Luckily, the European Union has EU 261 regulation, which guarantees that you, as a passenger, are not left in a difficult situation and that your rights are protected. The EU 261/2004 outlines the conditions under which passengers are eligible for compensation and assistance during flight disruption.

In this article, you will find everything you need to know about European Union Regulation 261 and under what circumstances you are entitled to compensation.

Passenger Rights under EU 261/2004

Under EU Regulation 261/2004, travelers flying to or from Belfast International Airport on flights operated by EU-based airlines have certain rights when facing significant delays or cancellations. These rights include:

• Food and drinks: Airlines must provide proper refreshments and snacks during the waiting period.
• Access to means of communication: Passengers should be offered two free phone calls, emails, or faxes.
• Hotel accommodation if necessary: When an overnight stay is needed, the airline must provide accommodation and transportation to and from the hotel.
• Ticket refund or alternative flight: Travelers have the option to 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 could qualify for financial compensation ranging from €250 to €600.

Belfast International Airport Flight Delay Compensation

Travelers experiencing flight delays at Belfast International Airport might be eligible for 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 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 required to provide compensation for flight delays caused by extraordinary circumstances outside their control.

Belfast International Airport Flight Cancellation Compensation

In case of a flight cancellation causing inconvenience at the Belfast International Airport, according to EU 261/2004, travelers are eligible to receive compensation of up to €600 if the airline notifies them of the cancellation less than 14 days before departure.

Nonetheless, there are exceptions to this regulation. 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 if you agree to 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 length of the delay. You can check the table below to figure out the compensation amount 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 offer compensation for cancellations due to extraordinary circumstances outside their control, such as extreme weather conditions or air traffic control strikes.

Which Belfast International Airport Flights are Covered by EU261?

If you are departing from an airport within the European Union and traveling on an airline flight from the EU, you are covered by 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 what situations are protected by EU Regulation 261 and which are not:

Itinerary	EU Airline	Non-EU Airline
Departures from Belfast International Airport to anywhere	Yes	Yes
Arrivals at Belfast International Airport from inside the EU	Yes	No
Arrivals at Belfast International Airport from outside the EU	Yes	No

How to Claim Compensation from Belfast International Airport

Flight delays and cancellations are common due to factors such as bad weather, air traffic congestion, technical problems, or crew shortages. If you encounter a flight disruption at Belfast International Airport, you may be entitled to compensation under EU 261/2004.

To initiate your compensation claim, proceed with these steps:

1. Complete our form. You’ll need to provide details like your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered.
2. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will handle the rest. We understand the EU laws well and will do our best to get you your compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.

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