Flight cancellations or delays due to airline strikes can be annoying, but there is good news for travelers. There is a regulation called EU 261/2004 that protects you. It stipulates that airlines have to issue compensation if your flight is delayed or cancelled due to a strike. In this article, we will clarify what EU261 is and how it can assist you.
Passenger Rights Under EU 261/2004
Now let’s explore the details of EU Regulation 261. In the following sections, you will learn about your eligibility for compensation and what benefits you can expect in the event of a flight disruption.
Right to Compensation
The European Union regulation stipulates that if you are covered by EU 261, you are entitled to seek compensation if a wildcat or planned strike by airline workers disrupts your flight. It is worth noting, such situations do not qualify as “extraordinary circumstances” which are events outside the airline’s control.
Air Niugini Flight Cancellation Compensation
Under EU Regulation 261, you are entitled to compensation of up to €600 if your flight is cancelled and the airline does not notify you of the flight cancellation within two weeks before your scheduled travel date.
Yet, as is frequently the case, there are exceptions you should be aware of. Specifically, the airline has a right to refuse compensation if they choose to offer you an alternative flight. However, this flight is required to meet specific requirements:
- If your flight is over 3,500 km, your replacement flight must arrive at the point of destination with a delay of less than 4 hours;
- If your flight is 1,500-3,500 km, your replacement flight must arrive at the point of destination with a delay of less than 3 hours;
- If your flight is less than 1,500 km, your replacement flight must arrive at the point of destination with a delay of less than 2 hours.
If you agreed to the alternative flight provided by the airline but arrived at the final destination later than you were supposed to, you are still eligible to claim compensation.
The primary factors that affect the amount of compensation are the flight distance and the duration of the delay. Check the table below for compensation amounts:
| 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 |
Air Niugini Flight Delay Compensation
Delays caused by airline strikes of any duration can be frustrating and can significantly disrupt your plans. You are entitled to compensation if the flight delay resulting from an airline strike lasts three or more hours.
Regarding the potential compensation amount that passengers may receive, there are two important things to consider: the duration of the delay and the flight distance. Check the table below for compensation amounts:
| 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 |
Ticket Refund or Alternative Transportation
In the rare cases when a passenger’s flight is delayed for 5 or more hours or cancelled, the passenger is entitled to more significant rights. You have two options to select from:
- You can refuse the delayed or cancelled flight and choose a full ticket refund, meaning that you will also cancel your planned trip, and there won’t be a financial penalty for this.
- You can agree to use an alternative flight that the airline arranges for you.
As you can see, you have the right to select the option that meets your needs.
Right to Care
Besides flight compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight resulting from an airline strike, passengers are also entitled to the right to care. Therefore, the airline is required to provide passengers with food, drinks, and the opportunity to make two phone calls, fax messages, and emails. When your flight is rescheduled for the next day, the airline is required to provide you with a hotel, as well as transport from the airport to the hotel and back.
Upgrading and Downgrading
In some instances, it happens the airline may either downgrade or upgrade your flight’s class when providing an alternative flight. In such cases, you need to understand specific rules and your rights:
In case of upgrading: if your class has been upgraded, you don’t need to pay extra for this advantage.
In case of downgrading: if your class is downgraded, the airline must reimburse you. Furthermore, the compensation in this case is based on the distance of the flight:
- 30% of the cost of the flights that are 1,500 km or less;
- 50% of the cost of t is an intra-EU flight over 1,500 km; also, if these are all other flights that are 1,500-3,500 km;
- 75% of the cost of the flight is 3,500 km and more.
These rules apply to all flights within the EU; additionally, these rules apply to flights that are either departing from or arriving in the European Union on EU-based airlines.
When Are You Not Entitled to Compensation?
Unfortunately, you should be aware that in situations in which the airline can’t control or prevent the strike, there will be no compensation for passengers. Let’s take an example: any labor dispute could considerably affect aviation (it can be a national labor or air traffic strike); however, such events are not under an airline’s control, and it’s not its fault that this situation happens. As a result, an airline is not obligated to pay compensation for disrupted flights.
Although many instances of strikes are not covered by EU261 and are classified as “extraordinary circumstances”, this doesn’t automatically mean that the airline will not pay compensation.
In line with the ECJ ruling of 11 June 2020 (Case C-74/19), the airline must prove it has done everything possible to prevent a strike. If the airline cannot prove it, they are obliged to pay passengers compensation for flight disruptions.
Which Flights are Covered by EU 261/2004?
EU 261 covers all flights departing from airports in the EU. It also applies to flights arriving in the EU if the airline originates in the EU. This includes airlines from EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
However, Air Niugini isn’t a European airline. Therefore, they aren’t required to issue compensation if their flights operate outside the European Union. This is true even for their flights to the European Union if they start outside the EU.
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing from EU airports | ✔️ Yes |
| Flights arriving at EU airports | ❌ No |
How to Get Air Niugini Strike Compensation
Dealing with cancelled or delayed flights due to strikes is always frustrating. Such situations can not only ruin your trip but also create problems – emotional, financial, etc. To claim compensation for this inconvenience, take the following actions:
- Fill in this form. You’ll need to provide flight details such as your flight number, date, and the problem you faced.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will manage the process. We know the EU laws thoroughly and will strive to get you your compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.
Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations
Was your flight delayed or cancelled due to the strike? Check our table for the latest flight delays and cancellations. Assess your right to compensation using our claim checker, and let us protect your rights and pursue compensation for you.
Did not find your flight in our table? Try our compensation form, and we will check it for you.
| Date | Flight number | Route | Status | Compensation |
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