Flight cancellations or delays due to airline strikes can be frustrating, but there is good news for passengers. There is a regulation called EU 261/2004 that protects you. It says that airlines have to issue compensation if your flight is cancelled or delayed as a result of a strike. In this article, we will explain what EU261 is and how it can assist you.

Passenger Rights Under EU 261/2004

Now let’s focus on 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 protected by EU 261, you have a right to claim compensation if a wildcat or planned strike of the airline’s workers disrupts your flight. It is worth noting, that both cases do not qualify as “extraordinary circumstances” meaning circumstances the airline cannot control.

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 about the cancellation within two weeks before your scheduled travel date.

However, as it often happens, there are exceptions you should be aware of. In particular, the airline is entitled to refuse compensation if they decide to offer you an alternative flight. However, this flight should also 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 offered by the airline but reached the final destination later than originally scheduled, 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. See 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 can significantly disrupt your plans. You may be eligible for compensation if the flight delay caused by an airline strike lasts a minimum of three hours.

As for the possible amount of compensation that passengers may receive, there are two key factors to consider: the duration of the delay and the flight distance. See 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 situations when a passenger’s flight is either cancelled or delayed for 5 or more hours, the passenger has more substantial rights. There are two options for you to choose 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 choose 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. Therefore, the airline must provide passengers with meals, beverages, 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 transportation between the airport and the hotel.

Upgrading and Downgrading

In some instances, it happens the airline can either upgrade or downgrade your flight’s class when providing an alternative flight. In these situations, you should know about 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 is obligated to reimburse you. Furthermore, the compensation here 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 regulations cover all flights inside the EU; besides, these regulations 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 know that in situations when the airline cannot influence or prevent the strike, there will be no compensation for passengers. Let’s take an example: any labor dispute can significantly affect aviation (it can be a national labor or air traffic strike); however, such occasions are not under the airline’s control, and it’s not its fault that this situation happens. Therefore, 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 does not 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 they have done everything possible to prevent a strike. If the airline cannot prove it, it is obliged to provide passengers compensation for flight disruptions.

Which Flights are Covered by EU 261/2004?

EU Regulation 261 applies to all flights departing from European Union airports. 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, Saudia isn’t a European airline. Consequently, 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 Saudia Strike Compensation

Dealing with delayed or cancelled flights due to strikes is always frustrating. It can not only ruin your trip but also create problems – emotional, financial, etc. To get compensated for this inconvenience, take the following actions:

Complete our 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 handle the rest. We know the EU laws comprehensively and will make every effort to secure your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.

Refunds and Compensation for Saudia Strike