Flight cancellations or delays due to airline strikes can be annoying, but there is good news for passengers. There is a regulation called EU 261/2004 that protects you. It stipulates that airlines have to issue compensation if your flight is cancelled or delayed as a result of a strike. In this article, we will clarify what the EU 261 regulation is and how it can assist you.
Passenger Rights Under EU 261/2004
Now let’s explore the specifics of EU Regulation 261. In the following sections, you will learn about your entitlement to compensation and what benefits you can expect in case 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. Notably, such situations do not qualify as “extraordinary circumstances” meaning circumstances the airline cannot control.
Flight Cancellation Compensation
In line with 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 14 days before your planned departure date.
However, as it often happens, there are exceptions you should be aware of. Specifically, the airline is entitled to refuse compensation if they decide to offer you an alternative flight. However, this flight is required to meet certain 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 main 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 |
Flight Delay Compensation
Delays due to airline strikes of any duration can be frustrating and may seriously affect your plans. You may be eligible for compensation if the flight delay resulting from an airline strike lasts a minimum of three hours.
As for the potential amount of compensation that passengers may receive, there are two key factors to consider: the duration of the delay and the flight distance. Check the table provided 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 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 compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight due to an airline strike, passengers also have the right to care. So, the airline must 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 has to provide you with a hotel, as well as transportation from the airport to the hotel and back.
Upgrading and Downgrading
Sometimes it occurs the airline may either upgrade or downgrade your flight’s class when offering an alternative flight. In such cases, you need to know about specific rules and your rights:
In case of upgrading: if your class has been upgraded, you won’t have to pay extra for this benefit.
In case of downgrading: if your class is downgraded, the airline must reimburse you. Again, 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 cover all flights inside the EU; additionally, these regulations cover 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 understand that in cases in which the airline can’t influence or prevent the strike, there will be no compensation for passengers. Let’s take an example: any labor dispute can significantly affect aviation (such as a national labor or air traffic strike); however, such occasions are not under an airline’s control, and it’s not their fault that this situation occurs. Therefore, an airline is not obligated to pay compensation for disrupted flights.
Even though many cases of strikes are not covered by EU261 and are classified as “extraordinary circumstances”, this doesn’t automatically mean that the airline will not provide compensation.
According to the ECJ ruling of 11 June 2020 (Case C-74/19), the airline must prove it has done everything possible to avoid 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?
European Union Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from airports in the EU. This regulation also extends to flights arriving in the EU if the airline is based in the EU. This includes airlines from EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
However, Flydubai isn’t a European airline. Therefore, they are not obliged 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 Flydubai Strike Compensation
Dealing with delayed or cancelled flights due to strikes is always frustrating. This can spoil your trip but also create problems – emotional, financial, etc. To seek compensation for this inconvenience, follow these steps:
- Complete this form. You’ll need to provide details like your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will manage the process. We understand the EU laws well and will strive to obtain your rightful compensation. You only incur a fee 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 | Airline (Flight number) | Route | Status | Your compensation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
29.05.202513:40 | flydubai 1212 | Tel Aviv Yafo (TLV) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
29.05.202512:50 | flydubai 1788 | Krakow (KRK) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
29.05.202510:25 | flydubai 267 | Dubai (DXB) Lar (LRR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
29.05.202507:35 | flydubai 1787 | Dubai (DXB) Krakow (KRK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202521:35 | flydubai 1721 | Dubai (DXB) Almaty (ALA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202521:15 | flydubai 19 | Dubai (DXB) Doha (DOH) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202521:15 | flydubai 755 | Dubai (DXB) Istanbul (IST) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202519:40 | flydubai 5 | Dubai (DXB) Doha (DOH) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202519:35 | flydubai 868 | Dammam (DMM) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202519:35 | flydubai 252 | Mashad (MHD) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202519:30 | flydubai 6587 | Dhaka (DAC) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202519:25 | flydubai 576 | Kathmandu (KTM) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202519:20 | flydubai 143 | Dubai (DXB) Amman (AMM) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202519:15 | flydubai 855 | Dubai (DXB) Riyadh (RUH) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202519:10 | flydubai 64 | Kuwait City (KWI) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202519:05 | flydubai 1932 | Tehran (IKA) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202518:55 | flydubai 814 | Abha (AHB) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202518:55 | flydubai 1749 | Dubai (DXB) Belgrade (BEG) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202518:30 | flydubai 10 | Doha (DOH) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202518:15 | flydubai 6333 | Manila (MNL) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202517:30 | flydubai 753 | Dubai (DXB) Istanbul (SAW) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202516:45 | flydubai 6584 | Dubai (DXB) Dhaka (DAC) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202516:40 | flydubai 336 | Karachi (KHI) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202516:35 | flydubai 712 | Tbilisi (TBS) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202516:30 | flydubai 990 | Moscow (VKO) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202516:25 | flydubai 211 | Dubai (DXB) Baghdad (BGW) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202516:20 | flydubai 60 | Kuwait City (KWI) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202516:05 | flydubai 813 | Dubai (DXB) Abha (AHB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202515:15 | flydubai 1938 | Tehran (IKA) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202515:00 | flydubai 972 | Sochi (AER) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202514:40 | flydubai 56 | Kuwait City (KWI) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202514:35 | flydubai 1290 | Mombasa (MBA) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202514:30 | flydubai 1790 | Ljubljana (LJU) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202514:30 | flydubai 1794 | Zagreb (ZAG) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202514:10 | flydubai 762 | Sarajevo (SJJ) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202513:55 | flydubai 1746 | Belgrade (BEG) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202513:55 | flydubai 802 | Jazan (GIZ) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202513:00 | flydubai 1682 | Napoli (NAP) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202512:55 | flydubai 1502 | Catania (CTA) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202512:50 | flydubai 1788 | Krakow (KRK) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202511:25 | flydubai 620 | Entebbe (EBB) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202511:00 | flydubai 241 | Dubai (DXB) Shiraz (SYZ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202511:00 | flydubai 41 | Dubai (DXB) Muscat (MCT) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202510:55 | flydubai 801 | Dubai (DXB) Jazan (GIZ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202510:15 | flydubai 1687 | Dubai (DXB) Zanzibar (ZNZ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202510:10 | flydubai 148 | Amman (AMM) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202509:50 | flydubai 222 | Al Najaf (NJF) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202509:20 | flydubai 1793 | Dubai (DXB) Zagreb (ZAG) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202509:10 | flydubai 761 | Dubai (DXB) Sarajevo (SJJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202508:45 | flydubai 1 | Dubai (DXB) Doha (DOH) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202508:35 | flydubai 539 | Dubai (DXB) Kathmandu (KTM) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202508:10 | flydubai 745 | Dubai (DXB) Tirana (TIA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202507:50 | flydubai 1501 | Dubai (DXB) Catania (CTA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202507:40 | flydubai 1681 | Dubai (DXB) Napoli (NAP) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202507:25 | flydubai 1573 | Dubai (DXB) Rome (BGY) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202507:15 | flydubai 1425 | Dubai (DXB) Zurich (BSL) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202507:05 | flydubai 1549 | Dubai (DXB) Tel Aviv Yafo (TLV) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202506:35 | flydubai 325 | Dubai (DXB) Multan (MUX) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202506:05 | flydubai 1073 | Dubai (DXB) Tel Aviv Yafo (TLV) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202505:25 | flydubai 748 | Shimkent (CIT) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202505:20 | flydubai 446 | Mumbai (BOM) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202505:05 | flydubai 1736 | Almaty (ALA) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202504:45 | flydubai 794 | Dushanbe (DYU) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202504:35 | flydubai 770 | Samarkand (SKD) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202504:10 | flydubai 442 | New Delhi (DEL) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202503:45 | flydubai 1722 | Almaty (ALA) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202503:30 | flydubai 8326 | Colombo (CMB) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202502:20 | flydubai 846 | Riyadh (RUH) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202502:10 | flydubai 756 | Istanbul (IST) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202501:40 | flydubai 192 | (SPX) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
28.05.202500:30 | flydubai 1716 | Minsk (MSQ) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
27.05.202522:55 | flydubai 793 | Dubai (DXB) Dushanbe (DYU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
27.05.202514:00 | flydubai 203 | Dubai (DXB) Erbil (EBL) | delayed | Claim Refund |
27.05.202510:45 | flydubai 617 | Dubai (DXB) Djibouti (JIB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
27.05.202510:20 | flydubai 549 | Dubai (DXB) Colombo (CMB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
27.05.202510:20 | flydubai 1481 | Dubai (DXB) Krabi (KBV) | delayed | Claim Refund |
27.05.202510:10 | flydubai 1569 | Dubai (DXB) Male (MLE) | delayed | Claim Refund |
27.05.202510:05 | flydubai 1687 | Dubai (DXB) Zanzibar (ZNZ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
27.05.202509:55 | flydubai 1211 | Dubai (DXB) Tel Aviv Yafo (TLV) | delayed | Claim Refund |
27.05.202509:00 | flydubai 1134 | Kathmandu (KTM) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
27.05.202508:35 | flydubai 661 | Dubai (DXB) Hargeisa (HGA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
27.05.202508:35 | flydubai 539 | Dubai (DXB) Kathmandu (KTM) | delayed | Claim Refund |
27.05.202508:15 | flydubai 430 | Kozhikode (CCJ) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
27.05.202508:10 | flydubai 717 | Dubai (DXB) Yerevan (EVN) | delayed | Claim Refund |
27.05.202508:00 | flydubai 851 | Dubai (DXB) Tabuk (TUU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
27.05.202507:40 | flydubai 1681 | Dubai (DXB) Napoli (NAP) | delayed | Claim Refund |
27.05.202506:45 | flydubai 345 | Dubai (DXB) Quetta (UET) | delayed | Claim Refund |
27.05.202504:55 | flydubai 642 | Addis Ababa (ADD) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
27.05.202504:25 | flydubai 438 | Ahmedabad (AMD) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
27.05.202503:45 | flydubai 1722 | Almaty (ALA) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
27.05.202503:05 | flydubai 436 | Hyderabad (HYD) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
27.05.202502:55 | flydubai 6338 | Dubai (DXB) Cebu (CEB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
27.05.202501:40 | flydubai 30 | Manama (BAH) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
27.05.202501:40 | flydubai 6585 | Dhaka (DAC) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
27.05.202500:40 | flydubai 353 | Dubai (DXB) Islamabad (ISB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
27.05.202500:30 | flydubai 1716 | Minsk (MSQ) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
27.05.202500:25 | flydubai 29 | Dubai (DXB) Manama (BAH) | delayed | Claim Refund |
26.05.202522:40 | flydubai 160 | Beirut (BEY) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
26.05.202522:25 | flydubai 754 | Istanbul (SAW) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
26.05.202522:25 | flydubai 20 | Doha (DOH) Dubai (DXB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
