Geneva Airport Flight Delay and Cancellation Compensation

Cancelled and delayed flights are the most frequent problems encountered by travelers. Fortunately, 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 specifies the conditions in which passengers are entitled to compensation and assistance during flight disruption.

Here, you will find everything you need to know about EU 261 regulation and when you are entitled to compensation.

Passenger Rights under EU 261/2004

Under EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers departing from or arriving at Geneva Airport on flights operated by EU-based airlines have specific rights if they experience 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 offered 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: Depending on the flight distance and length of delay, passengers might be entitled to financial compensation ranging from €250 to €600.

Geneva Airport Flight Delay Compensation

Flyers facing flight delays at Geneva 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 decided by the reason for 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 outside their control.

Geneva Airport Flight Cancellation Compensation

In case of a flight cancellation causing inconvenience at the Geneva Airport, according to EU 261/2004, passengers are eligible to get 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 though you accept an alternative flight, provided your arrival at the final destination is significantly delayed. The compensation amount is calculated by the flight distance and the duration of the delay. You can refer to this table 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 typically don’t provide compensation for flight cancellations caused by extraordinary circumstances outside their control, such as extreme weather conditions or air traffic control strikes.

Which Geneva Airport Flights are Covered by EU261?

When you’re departing from an airport within the European Union and flying with an airline flight from the EU, you are protected under EU Regulation 261/2004. This law guarantees 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 covered under EU Regulation 261 and which are not:

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

How to Claim Compensation from Geneva Airport

Flight cancellations and delays often occur due to factors such as adverse weather conditions, air traffic congestion, technical problems, or crew shortages. If you encounter a flight disruption at Geneva Airport, you could be eligible for compensation under EU 261/2004.

To initiate your compensation claim, follow these steps:

1. Complete our 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 take over. We are well-versed in the EU laws well and will do our best to obtain your rightful compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.

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