Compensation for Athens Airport Flight Cancellations and Delays

The first thing you need to know about Athens Airport flight cancellations and delays is that they are covered by a law called EU Regulation No. 261/2004. Shortened to EC 261, this law protects air passengers’ rights and ensures everyone is fairly treated by airlines.

EC 261 is one of the most comprehensive air passenger rights regulations in the world alongside UK 261, which is a very similar law, but for flights from the UK. EC 261 covers all of the EU, as well as its special territories such as the Azores and Canary Islands. Since Athens Airport is based in the EU, passengers traveling from here are protected. There may also be cases where you could qualify for either law, for example, if you arrived in the UK with a UK airline and experience a flight disruption.

With EC 261, you get the right to care while waiting, as well as compensation if your flight was unexpectedly cancelled or delayed by more than 3 hours. In these cases, each affected passenger can receive up to $700.

Is your flight covered by EC 261?

Not all Athens Airport cancellations and delays qualify for flight compensation. While EC 261 and UK 261 are very air passenger friendly, they do recognise that disruptions cannot always be avoided. If the disruption is caused by extraordinary circumstances, airlines are not legally obligated to pay compensation.

Extraordinary circumstances include situations that are outside the airline’s control, such as severe weather conditions, medical emergencies, political unrest, and health or safety threats.

Of course, just because you are not eligible for compensation, doesn’t mean that you now have to fend for yourself. During a lengthy delay, the airline must still provide you with free meals and drinks, and, if needed, a hotel while you wait.

For cancelled flights, they will also have to provide you with an alternative flight to your intended destination. Remember that you never have to pay extra for a replacement flight — even if they upgrade you.

So, how do you know when you should claim compensation for Athens airport cancelled flights? Though the law can be complicated, we're here to break it down for you:

Flights departing from an EU airport are eligible for compensation, as are flights landing in the EU with a European airline. The amount you receive varies depending on the length of the delay and the distance, but each passenger can get up to £520 or €600.

For cancellations, you get compensated if your airline cancels a flight less than 14 days before it is scheduled to depart. For delays, your flight qualifies if you arrive at your final destination more than 3 hours late. You can learn more about your rights here.

Table shows values in € as specified in EC 261

The distance of your flight route can affect how much compensation you receive. The table above breaks it down for you, though in some cases exceptions may apply.

If you ever experience cancellations or delays in Athens Airport, having a good understanding of your rights helps will go a long way to making the situation less stressful. Always keep a level head, and ask the airline staff for assistance if needed. Here are some things to remember: