Cologne Bonn Airport Flight Delay and Cancellation Compensation

Flight delays and cancellations are the most frequent 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 EU Regulation 261/2004 defines the conditions under which passengers are entitled to compensation and assistance in cases of flight disruption.

Here, you will find everything you need to know about Regulation EU261 and when you are eligible for compensation.

Passenger Rights under EU 261/2004

Under EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers traveling to or from Cologne Bonn 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 beverages 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 required, the airline must provide accommodation and transportation to and from the hotel.
• Ticket refund or alternative flight: Passengers can select from a full refund of their ticket or rebooking on an alternative flight to their final destination.
• Compensation: According to the flight distance and length of delay, passengers could qualify for financial compensation between €250 to €600.

Cologne Bonn Airport Flight Delay Compensation

Passengers experiencing flight delays at Cologne Bonn 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 adheres to 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 required to provide compensation for flight delays resulting from extraordinary circumstances beyond their control.

Cologne Bonn Airport Flight Cancellation Compensation

In case of a flight cancellation causing inconvenience at the Cologne Bonn Airport, under EU 261/2004, passengers can receive compensation of up to €600 if the airline informs them of the cancellation 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 could 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 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 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 due to extraordinary circumstances outside their control, such as severe weather or air traffic control strikes.

Which Cologne Bonn Airport Flights are Covered by EU261?

If you are departing from an airport in the European Union and traveling on an airline flight originating in the EU, you are covered by EU Regulation 261/2004. This regulation ensures that you have certain rights in case of a delay, flight cancellation, denied boarding, and other similar situations. Here’s a more detailed table of which cases are covered under EU Regulation 261 and which are not:

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

How to Claim Compensation from Cologne Bonn Airport

Flight disruptions often occur due to factors such as adverse weather conditions, air traffic congestion, mechanical problems, or crew shortages. If you encounter a flight disruption at Cologne Bonn Airport, you could be eligible for compensation under European Union Regulation 261/2004.

To initiate your compensation claim, take the following steps:

1. Complete this form. You’ll need to provide details such as your flight number, date, and what went wrong.
2. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will manage the process. We understand the EU laws comprehensively and will do our best to secure your compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.

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