Air Traffic Control (ATC) plays a crucial role in managing the safe movement of aircraft both in the sky and on the ground. Controllers ensure that every takeoff and landing happens safely and efficiently.
However, when the airspace or airports become congested, or ATC faces operational challenges, you may find your flight delayed due to air traffic control decisions — affecting both passengers and airlines.
Here’s what causes ATC-related flight delays and what your rights are under EU Regulation 261/2004.
Check your compensation online.
Why Flights Are Delayed Due to Air Traffic Control?
Air traffic control delays happen when ATC must manage safety, traffic flow, or technical challenges.
Common reasons include:
1. Heavy Air Traffic
When too many aircraft are in the air or on the ground, ATC may need to delay takeoffs or landings to maintain safe spacing, resulting in a backlog of flights.
2. Bad Weather
Severe weather — such as thunderstorms, fog, or snow — can reduce visibility and affect safe operations.
ATC may hold flights until conditions improve, leading to air traffic control delays.
3. Technical or System Issues
ATC relies on radar, communication, and navigation systems.
When these systems malfunction, airspace capacity is reduced, and flights are delayed until the issue is resolved.
4. Emergency Situations
If an aircraft experiences an emergency, ATC must prioritize it, which can cause other flights to be delayed or rerouted.
If your flight delayed due to air traffic control causing a long wait, remember that while compensation may not be available, your right to care still applies. More on this below.
Flight Delayed Due to Air Traffic Control: Your Rights
Under EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers have rights when their flights are delayed or cancelled. However, air traffic control disruptions are considered “extraordinary circumstances.” This means that airlines are not required to pay flight compensation for air traffic control delays and cancellations, since these situations are beyond the airline’s control.
Right to Care and Assistance
Even though European flight compensation may not apply, passengers still have a right to care.
If your flight is significantly delayed, the airline must provide:
- Meals and refreshments appropriate to the waiting time
- Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is required
- Transport between the airport and hotel
- Access to communication, such as phone calls or emails
These rights ensure you’re supported during your wait — even when the cause of the delay isn’t the airline’s fault.
Flight cancelled due to air traffic control? You are entitled to a new flight or a full refund. As well as the right to care from the airline.
Read more: Right to Care
Air Traffic Control Delay: Compensation is Not Due!
If your flight is delayed or cancelled due to an air traffic control decision, you are not entitled to flight delay or cancellation compensation.
These situations are extraordinary circumstances, meaning they are beyond the airline’s control and exempt from compensation under EU regulations.
What Counts as Extraordinary Circumstances?
“Extraordinary circumstances” are events outside the airline’s control that can’t be avoided even if all reasonable measures are taken.
Examples include:
- Severe weather conditions (storms, heavy snow, fog)
- Air traffic control strikes
- Technical failures in ATC systems
- Security risks or political unrest
- Emergency situations requiring priority handling
In these situations, you’re not entitled to compensation, but you still have the right to care.
Check your compensation online.
What to Do During an ATC Delay?
Flight delayed due to air traffic control? Here’s how to handle the situation:
- Check your airline’s website or mobile app for real-time updates.
- Contact the airline. Ask about rebooking options, meal vouchers, or accommodation if needed.
- Familiarize yourself with EU261/2004 to understand what you’re entitled to.
- Save any documentation or receipts in case you need to request reimbursements later.
- Be patient! Remember that ATC-related delays are implemented for safety reasons and affect all airlines equally.
When the airspace or airports become congested, or ATC faces operational challenges, you may find your flight delayed due to air traffic control decisions. The good news is that you still have specific rights and protections in these situations.
Featured photo by Shoval Zonnis from Pexels