Flight cancelled due to war: compensation and refund
Recent geopolitical tensions in the Gulf and military attacks have led many airlines to cancel flights or modify routes to ensure passenger safety. If your flight was affected by these cancellations, you are probably wondering: "Am I entitled to financial compensation?"
The answer is complex and depends on one crucial factor: 'extraordinary circumstances'. In this article, we clarify what the law provides and what your non-negotiable rights as a passenger are.
The cornerstone of air passenger rights in Europe is Regulation EC 261/2004.
This regulation establishes that, in the event of a cancelled flight with less than 14 days’ notice or a delay of more than 3 hours on arrival, passengers are entitled to compensation depending on the flight distance:
€250 for flights up to 1,500 km.
£350 for intra-EU flights over 1,500 km and for all other flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km.
£520 for all other flights.
This is the golden rule, but there is an important exception.
The crucial exception: 'extraordinary circumstances'
The airline is not required to pay financial compensation if it can prove that the cancellation or delay was caused by 'extraordinary circumstances', meaning events that could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken.
There is often a lot of confusion around this topic: we have written an article about it specifically to help you clear up any doubts.
What falls into this category?
Adverse and unpredictable weather conditions.
Strikes by air traffic control staff.
Medical emergencies on board.
Political instability, acts of terrorism and wars.
Application to the specific case: war in the Gulf and military attacks
Flight cancellations caused by a declared war, an armed conflict, a military attack or the closure of airspace for national security reasons clearly fall within the category of extraordinary circumstances.
The absolute priority of an airline is the safety of its passengers and crew. Flying over or near an active conflict zone represents an unacceptable risk. Therefore, the decision to cancel a flight for these reasons is considered a necessary safety measure and something outside the airline’s direct control.
In summary: for a flight cancelled due directly to war or military attacks, financial compensation from $290to £520 is very unlikely to be due.
Attention! It doesn’t end here: your non-negotiable rights
Even in the presence of extraordinary circumstances, the airline still has specific obligations towards you that must be respected. The denial of financial compensation does not cancel your fundamental rights to assistance and choice.
You always have the right to choose between:
A full refund of the ticket for the unused part of the journey.
Rebooking on another flight (rerouting) to your final destination as soon as possible, even with other airlines.
Rebooking on a later date of your choice, under comparable transport conditions.
In addition, while waiting for the replacement flight, you are entitled to:
Meals and refreshments in relation to the waiting time.
Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is necessary.
Transfers to and from the airport.
If the airline does not provide this assistance, keep all receipts for the expenses you incurred: you are entitled to reimbursement!
How can the ReFly service help you?
Even if the situation seems clear, there are nuances. Sometimes airlines may use the 'extraordinary circumstance' as an excuse to cover internal operational problems.
Our team of experts can help you to:
Verify the real cause: we analyse your specific case to ensure the cancellation was a direct and unavoidable consequence of the conflict, and not a pretext.
Obtain your compensation: we handle all the bureaucracy to help you obtain any financial compensation. Check our form to see if you are eligible!
Enforce your rights: if the airline denies your right to rerouting or assistance, we intervene to ensure you receive what you are entitled to.
Our service is simple and risk-free: we analyse your case for free and charge a commission only if we obtain a positive result for you. No result, no cost.
Navigating your rights in turbulent skies caused by conflicts can be complicated. Although financial compensation is unlikely for flights cancelled due to wars, your rights to a refund, rerouting and assistance remain firmly in place.
Don’t let the complexity of the situation discourage you. Contact ReFly today, upload your flight details and let our experts work for you.
Learn more about:
Passenger rights in case of flight delays or cancellations
The €250 compensation for a canceled flight specifically applies to flights under 1500 km.
£350
The £350 compensation for a canceled flight applies to flights between 1500 km and 3500 km.
£520
The £520 compensation for a canceled flight applies to flights over 3500 km.
Frequently asked questions about flights cancelled due to war
No, in general you are not entitled to financial compensation (from $290to £520) because war and armed conflicts are considered "extraordinary circumstances". These are situations outside the airline’s control, meaning the airline is exempt from paying compensation.
Even in the case of extraordinary circumstances, you always have the right to choose between: 1) a full refund of the unused ticket, or 2) rebooking on an alternative flight to your final destination as soon as possible. This right remains guaranteed.
Yes. If you are stuck at the airport waiting for a replacement flight, the airline must provide assistance. This includes meals and refreshments in reasonable quantities, the possibility to make two phone calls or send emails and, if necessary, hotel accommodation with transport.
If the airline does not provide the assistance you are entitled to, you can purchase meals, drinks or a hotel room yourself (if reasonable). It is essential to keep all receipts and invoices. Afterwards, you can request full reimbursement from the airline.
Sometimes airlines may use an "extraordinary circumstance" as a pretext. It is important to verify that there is a direct causal link between the conflict and the cancellation of your specific flight. Specialized services like ReFly can analyse your case to confirm the real cause.
'Compensation' is a fixed amount (from $290to £520) for the inconvenience suffered, and it is not due in the case of war. A 'refund' is the return of the ticket price you paid, and it is your right if you choose not to be rebooked on another flight.
If you didn't find the answers you were looking for, contact us!
ReFly operates in accordance with regulations
related to passenger rights
Only a few air travelers are aware of their rights, and many of them lack the legal understanding necessary to claim compensation for flight delays. Even if they are aware of their rights, the process of requesting compensation from airlines can be challenging.
