Cancelled and delayed flights are the most common issues encountered by travelers. Luckily, 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 261/2004 specifies the situations when passengers are eligible for compensation and assistance in the event of flight disruption.
Here, 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
According to EU Regulation 261/2004, travelers flying to or from Humberto Delgado 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 provided two free phone calls, emails, or faxes;
- Hotel accommodation if necessary: If an overnight stay is necessary, the airline is obligated to offer assistance, including hotel stays and transport to and from the hotel;
- Ticket refund or alternative flight: Passengers have the option to 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 remained within the airline’s control, passengers could qualify for financial compensation ranging from €250 to €600, depending on the flight distance and length of the delay.
Humberto Delgado Airport Flight Delay Compensation
Passengers facing flight delays at Humberto Delgado Airport might be entitled to 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 adheres to 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 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 flight delays caused by extraordinary circumstances outside their control.
Humberto Delgado Airport Flight Cancellation Compensation
In the event of a cancelled flight causing inconvenience at the Humberto Delgado Airport, according to EU Regulation 261, travelers may receive compensation of up to €600 if the airline notifies them less than 14 days before departure.
Nonetheless, there are exceptions to this law. The airline may 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 |
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 length of the delay. You can check the following 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 usually don’t offer compensation for flight cancellations caused by extraordinary circumstances outside their control, such as extreme weather conditions or air traffic control strikes.
Which Humberto Delgado 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 cases are covered under EU Regulation 261:
| Itinerary | EU Airline | Non-EU Airline |
| Departures from Humberto Delgado Airport to anywhere | Yes | Yes |
| Arrivals at Humberto Delgado Airport from inside the EU | Yes | No |
| Arrivals at Humberto Delgado Airport from outside the EU | Yes | No |
How to Claim Compensation from Humberto Delgado Airport
Flight disruptions often occur due to factors such as extreme weather conditions, air traffic congestion, mechanical problems, or crew shortages. If you experience a flight disruption at Humberto Delgado Airport, you could be eligible for compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004.
To initiate your compensation claim, proceed with these steps:
- Fill in this form. You’ll need to provide details including your flight number, date, and what went wrong.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We are well-versed in the EU laws thoroughly and will do our best to secure 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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