One of the most common factors behind flight interruptions is flight strikes, which are often organized by airline workers, an airport itself, or an airline. As a passenger, you should be aware of the EU 261 regulation, according to which you may be entitled to compensation of up to 600 Euros.
Learn more to find out how you can get compensation and in which situations.
Your Passenger Rights
The good news is that any passenger is protected by EU Regulation 261. The EU 261/2004 is a European Union regulation that sets the rules for assistance and compensation to passengers in cases of flight delays and cancellations. Now, let’s take a closer look at air passenger rights, according to European Regulation 261:
- The airline is required to provide travelers with information about their rights.
- In the event of flight cancellation, a passenger has the right to choose one of these options: either a ticket refund or rerouting to the final destination under similar conditions;
- Passengers can expect to receive food and beverages; 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 required to provide hotel accommodation, as well as transportation between the the hotel and airport.
- Compensation between 250 to 600 euros per passenger
When You Are Entitled to AirBaltic Strike Compensation
Often, AirBaltic strikes involve their employees. These could be flight attendants, pilots, engineers, 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 encountered because of the strike.
It is also important to understand what “extraordinary circumstances” are. These are events outside of the airline’s control. If a strike is considered one of these circumstances, the airline is not obliged to provide compensation. Importantly, if a staff strike occurs, the airline could have potentially foreseen and managed such incidents, thus 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 are entitled to claim flight compensation.
Nonetheless, you should understand that each incident is unique, meaning that every flight disruption caused by a strike must be carefully analyzed to determine whether the airline will provide compensation.
AirBaltic Strike Compensation
Before claiming the airline strike compensation, you need to know about the criteria and the amount of compensation you could be entitled to.
AirBaltic Strike Flight Delay Compensation
The longer a flight is delayed, the more trouble it creates for passengers. When airline staff go on strike, it can disrupt travelers’ plans and make them arrive at their final destination much later than expected. It is essential to know that if your flight is delayed for over 3 hours because of a strike, you are entitled to compensation from the airline for the inconvenience caused.
In evaluating the potential sum of compensation, passengers should take two critical facts into account: the flight’s distance and the duration of the delay. It’s essential to understand these factors, as only that is how you can be calm regarding the fair flight delay compensation you deserve. 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 |
AirBaltic Strike Flight Cancellation Compensation
Sometimes, it also happens that airline strikes result in flight cancellation. According to EU 261, you can claim compensation of up to 600 Euros. Note that the regulation also states that you are entitled to compensation in the case when the airline notified you about the cancellation less than 14 days before your travel.
Nevertheless, there are always some exceptions to the regulations, and here is the case. The airline is entitled to avoid paying compensation if it provides the passenger an alternative flight. This alternative flight must meet the requirements 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 your destination was still delayed, you are entitled to claim compensation.
The amount of the compensation fully depends on the flight distance and the time of delay in arriving at the final destination. Check 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 AirBaltic 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. It also applies to flights to/from Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
The table below shows which AirBaltic flights are covered by EU Regulation 261:
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing the EU airports | ✅ Covered |
| Flights arriving at the EU airports | ✅ Covered |
How to Claim AirBaltic Strike Compensation
If you have encountered flight cancellations or delays at least once, you understand how irritating it can be.
Travelers who experience any of these issues on AirBaltic flights have a right to claim compensation, according to European Union regulations. Follow these steps to claim compensation:
- Complete our form. You’ll need to provide details including your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We know the EU laws well and will strive to get you your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.