What rights do passengers have in the event of flight delays or cancellations

The National Authority for Consumer Protection (ANPC) has announced that, in certain situations, airlines may be exempt from paying financial compensation for delays or cancellations of flights caused by extraordinary circumstances. These include political instability, unfavorable weather conditions, security risks, or strikes.

However, passengers still retain the right to information and assistance, as well as the option to choose between a refund of the ticket or rerouting to the final destination. ANPC emphasizes the importance of adequate consumer information before traveling, considering recent geopolitical developments that may affect air traffic.

Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 establishes the rules regarding compensation and assistance for passengers, applicable to all flights within the European Union. In cases where carriers prove that delays were unavoidable, they may be exempt from compensation, but passengers will continue to receive assistance.