One of the most common causes of flight interruptions is flight strikes, which can be organized by airline staff, an airport itself, or an airline. As a passenger, you should be aware of European Union Regulation 261, according to which you might be qualified for compensation of up to 600 Euros.
Read on to find out how to obtain compensation and under what circumstances.
Your Passenger Rights
The good news is that every air traveler is protected by EU Regulation 261. The EU 261 is a European Union regulation that sets the rules for compensation and assistance to passengers in cases of flight disruptions. Now, let’s take a closer look at passenger rights, according to European Regulation 261:
- The airline needs to provide passengers with information about their rights.
- In the event of flight cancellation, a passenger is entitled to choose one of the following options: either a ticket refund or rerouting to the final destination under similar conditions;
- Passengers can expect to receive meals and drinks; they are also entitled to have two free phone calls, e-mails, or faxes.
- If you decide to reroute, and it involves an overnight stay, the airline is obligated to provide hotel accommodation, as well as transportation between the the hotel and airport.
- Compensation from 250 to 600 euros per passenger
When You Are Entitled to Air Caraïbes Strike Compensation
Often, Air Caraïbes strikes involve their employees. These can be pilots, engineers, flight attendants, or other essential staff. As you’re now aware, you can seek airline strike compensation, if your trip was disrupted. The compensation will then cover the inconvenience you faced because of the strike.
It is also important to understand what “extraordinary circumstances” are. These are events beyond the airline’s control. If a strike is considered one of these circumstances, the airline is not required to provide compensation. It is important to note if a staff strike occurs, the airline could have potentially foreseen and managed such incidents, therefore such cases are within the airline’s control. That is when flight disruptions are caused by the airline’s own employees, these are not cases of extraordinary circumstances. As a result, passengers have a right to claim flight compensation.
However, you should understand that each incident is individual, meaning that every flight disruption caused by a strike must be carefully analyzed to determine whether the airline will pay compensation.
Air Caraïbes Strike Compensation
Before seeking the airline strike compensation, it’s important to understand the conditions and the amount of compensation you could be entitled to.
Air Caraïbes Strike Flight Delay Compensation
The longer a flight is delayed, the more trouble it causes travelers. When airline workers go on strike, it can disrupt passengers’ plans and make them arrive at their final destination much later than expected. It is important to know that if your flight is delayed for over 3 hours due to a strike, you are eligible for compensation from the airline for the inconvenience caused.
In considering the potential sum of compensation, passengers should take two critical factors into account: the flight’s distance and the duration of the delay. It’s essential to understand these details, as only that is how you can be calm regarding the fair flight delay compensation you are entitled to. In the following, you can find a table with the amounts of compensation you may receive.
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 |
Air Caraïbes Strike Flight Cancellation Compensation
Sometimes, it also happens that airline strikes result in flight cancellation. Under EU 261/2004, you can claim compensation of up to 600 Euros. It’s important to know that the regulation also states that you are entitled to compensation in the case when the airline informed you about the cancellation less than two weeks before your travel.
Nevertheless, there are always some exceptions to the rules, and here is the case. The airline is entitled to avoid paying compensation if it provides the passenger an alternative flight. This flight must meet the conditions enumerated below:
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 |
Importantly, if you used an alternative flight but your final arrival time at the destination point was still delayed, you can claim compensation.
The amount of the compensation fully depends on the flight distance and the time of delay in arriving at the final destination. Take a look at the table below for more details:
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 |
Which Air Caraïbes Flights Are Covered by EU261?
Regulation EU261 applies to all flights departing from EU airports, regardless of the airline, as well as flights arriving in the EU from non-EU countries when operated by airlines based in the EU. The regulation also covers flights to and from Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway.
The following table shows which Air Caraïbes flights are protected by EU Regulation 261/2004:
Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
Flights departing the EU airports | ✅ Covered |
Flights arriving at the EU airports | ✅ Covered |
How to Claim Air Caraïbes Strike Compensation
If you have encountered flight delays or cancellations at least once, you know how annoying it can be.
Passengers who encounter any of these issues on Air Caraïbes flights have a right to claim compensation, according to EU regulations. Follow these steps to claim compensation:
- Fill in 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 handle the rest. We know the EU laws thoroughly and will make every effort to secure your compensation. You are only charged if we win your case.