Flight delays or cancellations due to airline strikes can be frustrating, but there is good news for passengers. There is a law called EU 261/2004 that protects you. It says that airlines are required to issue compensation if your flight is delayed or cancelled due to a strike. In this article, we will explain what the EU 261 regulation is and how it can help you.
Passenger Rights Under EU 261/2004
Now let’s focus on the particulars of EU Regulation 261. In the following sections, you will discover your rights to compensation and what advantages you can expect in case of a flight disruption.
Right to Compensation
The European Union regulation states that if you are protected by EU 261, you have a right to claim 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
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 planned departure date.
Yet, as it often happens, there are exceptions you should be aware of. In particular, the airline is entitled to refuse compensation if they choose to offer you an alternative flight. Though this flight should also 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 offered by the airline but reached your final destination later than originally scheduled, you are still eligible to claim compensation.
The key factors that affect the amount of compensation are the flight distance and the duration of the delay. See the table provided 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 itinerary. 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 can expect, there are two important things 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 has more substantial rights. You have two options to select from:
- You can refuse the cancelled or delayed 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 disrupted flight due to an airline strike, passengers are also entitled to the right to care. Therefore, the airline must provide passengers with food, beverages, and the opportunity to make two phone calls, fax messages, and emails. If 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
Occasionally it happens the airline might either downgrade or upgrade your flight’s class when providing an alternative flight. In such cases, you should be aware of 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 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 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 considerably affect aviation (it can be a national labor or air traffic strike); however, such events are not under the airline’s control, and it’s not their fault that this situation occurs. As a result, the airline is not required 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 pay compensation.
According to 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 261 applies to all flights departing from EU 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, Singapore Airlines isn’t a European airline. Consequently, they aren’t required to issue compensation if their flights operate outside the European Union. This applies even to 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 Singapore Airlines Strike Compensation
Dealing with flight cancellations or delays due to strikes is always frustrating. Such situations can not only ruin your trip but also create problems – emotional, financial, etc. To get compensated for this inconvenience, follow these steps:
- Fill in 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 handle the rest. We are well-versed in the EU laws thoroughly and will strive to get you your compensation. You are only charged if we win your case.