Extraordinary circumstances in air travel are unexpected events that impact flights and are beyond the airline’s control. These include severe weather, natural disasters, security issues, air traffic control problems, or other events outside the airline’s influence. While airlines can’t prevent these situations, passengers still have rights.
If your flight is delayed or canceled due to extraordinary circumstances, you are entitled to receive care, like meals or accommodation. Additionally, if a flight is canceled, you have the right to a new flight or a refund.
Continue reading to further understand your rights in these situations.
EU Regulation 241/2006: Definition of Extraordinary Circumstances
According to EU Regulation 241/2006, extraordinary circumstances in air travel are unexpected events that airlines cannot control. These events may lead to serious flight disruptions.
Some disruptions are unavoidable despite an airline’s best efforts.
Airlines are usually not required to pay flight compensation to air passengers when flights are delayed or cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances. However, airlines are still required to provide assistance, such as meals, accommodations, and rebooking/refund options, depending on the situation.
What Are the Examples of Extraordinary Circumstances?
- Bad weather, like storms, snow, or fog, can lead to unsafe flying conditions, resulting in flight delays or cancellations for safety reasons.
- Natural disasters, such as earthquakes or floods, can heavily disrupt airport operations, causing significant flight disruptions.
- Security issues at airports, including bomb threats, can halt normal operations and lead to flight delays or cancellations.
- Terrorism threats that endanger passenger or crew safety can cause major delays and cancellations.
- Air traffic control restrictions due to high traffic can delay flights.
- Strikes by airport staff impacting operations might cause delays and cancellations. Keep in mind that not all strikes are extraordinary circumstances – airline staff strikes aren’t.
Important: If your flight is delayed or cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances, TAP won’t provide compensation. However, as an air passenger, you still have certain rights.
Extraordinary Circumstances & Flight Compensation
Are you eligible for compensation for flight delays?
Can you get compensation for flight cancellations?
If your flight is delayed or cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances, TAP won’t provide flight compensation.
Does Tap Provide Compensation for Flight Delays Caused by Extraordinary Circumstances?
No, TAP does not provide flight delay compensation for flight delays caused by extraordinary circumstances like bad weather or natural disasters.
They must, however, inform you about the cause of the delay.
Compensation is available only for delays that happen due to issues within the airline’s control, such as technical problems, staffing issues, or airline staff strikes.
Does Tap Provide Compensation for Flight Cancellations if Your Flight Is Cancelled Due to Extraordinary Circumstances?
No, flight cancellation compensation is not provided for flights that are cancelled because of extraordinary circumstances.
As stated in the EU regulation, airlines do not have to pay compensation for flights cancelled due to these reasons.
However, passengers are entitled to new flight arrangements or a full refund, regardless of the reason for the cancellation.
Can You Get a Full Refund for Cancelled Flights Due to Extraordinary Circumstances?
Yes, you can get a full refund if your flight is cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances.
Under EU regulation, you are entitled to a full refund (monetary) even if the cancellation is caused by extraordinary circumstances.
TAP can provide a voucher instead if you prefer instead of a monetary refund.
You also have the option to choose a new flight instead of a refund.
You can decide what works best for you.
Make sure to take advantage of these rights to ensure you receive the support you need when your flight is cancelled.
Right to Care in Cases of Extraordinary Circumstances
As per EU regulation, if you’re travelling with a European airline like TAP, you have the right to care during flight disruptions even if the disruption is caused by extraordinary circumstances.
If you’re stuck at the airport with a delay of three hours or more, or a last-minute flight cancellation, the airline must help make your wait easier.
This includes situations such as delays, cancellations, or overbooking.
- For short delays of 3 hours or more, TAP is required to provide you with free meals and drinks, as well as two ways to communicate at no cost, like phone calls or emails.
- In the case of longer delays that require an overnight stay, TAP must arrange for free accommodation and transportation to and from the airport.
If you find yourself stuck, it’s important to reach out to TAP to ensure you receive the support you are entitled to.
What Doesn’t Count as Extraordinary Circumstances?
Not all flight disruptions qualify as extraordinary circumstances in air travel.
Technical problems with an aircraft are generally not regarded as extraordinary, as these issues are within the airline’s control and relate to their maintenance responsibilities.
Staffing issues, such as missing crew, are not considered extraordinary circumstances.
Similarly, while strikes can lead to delays, it’s important to note that TAP staff strikes are not considered extraordinary circumstances either.
When disruptions are caused by factors under TAP’s control, like these, passengers might be eligible for compensation for the inconvenience.
Do you have more questions about extraordinary circumstances in air travel? Whether it’s about flight delays, cancellations, or unexpected events during your journey, feel free to ask in the comments.