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 that protects you. It stipulates that airlines must issue compensation if your flight is cancelled or delayed due to a strike. In this article, we will clarify what EU261 is and how it can help you.
Passenger Rights Under EU 261/2004
Now let’s focus on the particulars of EU Regulation 261/2004. In the following sections, you will discover your eligibility for 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 protected by EU 261, you have a right to claim 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” i.e., those beyond the airline’s control.
Sky Airline Flight Cancellation Compensation
In line with EU Regulation 261, you can receive 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 planned departure date.
However, as is frequently the case, there are exceptions you should be aware of. Specifically, the airline has a right to refuse compensation if they decide to offer you an alternative flight. However, 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 proposed by the airline but arrived at 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 delay time. Check 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 |
Sky Airline 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 at least three hours.
Concerning the potential amount of compensation that passengers may receive, there are two crucial 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 situations when a passenger’s flight is either cancelled or delayed for 5 or more hours, the passenger is entitled to more substantial rights. There are two options for you to choose 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 disrupted flight resulting from an airline strike, passengers also have the right to care. Therefore, the airline must provide passengers with meals, drinks, 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 to and from the hotel.
Upgrading and Downgrading
Occasionally it happens the airline may either upgrade or downgrade your flight’s class when providing an alternative flight. In these situations, 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 advantage.
In case of downgrading: if your class is downgraded, the airline is obligated to reimburse you. Again, the compensation here is determined by 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; besides, these rules cover flights that are either departing from or arriving in the European Union on airlines based in the EU.
When Are You Not Entitled to Compensation?
Unfortunately, you should know that in cases when the airline can’t control 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 events are not under an airline’s control, and it’s not its fault that this situation occurs. As a result, the 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 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 provide passengers compensation for flight disruptions.
Which Flights are Covered by EU 261/2004?
European Union Regulation 261 applies to 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, Sky Airline is not a European airline. Therefore, they don’t have 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 Sky Airline Strike Compensation
Dealing with flight cancellations or delays due to strikes is always frustrating. Such situations can ruin not just 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 well and will do our best 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 | Flight number | Route | Status | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
07.01.202616:39 | Sky Airline 272 | (SCL) (ANF) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202613:33 | Sky Airline 1621 | (PMC) (BBA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202613:08 | Sky Airline 1742 | (LSC) (ANF) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202610:31 | Sky Airline 191 | (SCL) (MHC) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202608:42 | Sky Airline 271 | (ANF) (SCL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202606:25 | Sky Airline 5440 | (LIM) (JAU) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202611:29 | Sky Airline 125 | (SCL) (ZAL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202609:50 | Sky Airline 5811 | (AEP) (SCL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202608:42 | Sky Airline 271 | (ANF) (SCL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.01.202614:23 | Sky Airline 149 | (SCL) (ZCO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.01.202609:33 | Sky Airline 142 | (ZCO) (SCL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.01.202615:40 | Sky Airline 324 | (SCL) (IQQ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.01.202614:53 | Sky Airline 2072 | (PMC) (SCL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.01.202613:25 | Sky Airline 1801 | (SSA) (MVD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.01.202609:10 | Sky Airline 633 | (FLN) (SCL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.01.202619:00 | Sky Airline 1821 | (EZE) (SCL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.01.202610:57 | Sky Airline 141 | (SCL) (ZCO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.01.202604:45 | Sky Airline 632 | (SCL) (FLN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
31.12.202507:05 | Sky Airline 5102 | (AQP) (LIM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
31.12.202504:50 | Sky Airline 5101 | (LIM) (AQP) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
27.12.202512:10 | Sky Airline 622 | (SCL) (GIG) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
26.12.202521:00 | Sky Airline 524 | (MDZ) (SCL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
26.12.202518:30 | Sky Airline 512 | (FTE) (SCL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
24.12.202509:25 | Sky Airline 5262 | (LIM) (TRU) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
24.12.202506:25 | Sky Airline 5440 | (LIM) (JAU) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
23.12.202521:30 | Sky Airline 536 | (AEP) (SCL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
23.12.202519:30 | Sky Airline 2152 | (ZCO) (SCL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
23.12.202505:20 | Sky Airline 300 | (SCL) (ARI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
