Faceing Flight Termination: Mitigation Strategies
Travel Woes? Here's Your GuideJune 26, 2025, 3:30 PM
Airline HeadachesFlight Delays and Passenger RightsA lawyer's expert advice on what to do when you find yourself in a grounded situation.
In an exclusive interview with sovainfo.ru, lawyer Marina Zhirova breaks down the steps for passengers experiencing issues at departure airports.
The key factor to understand is that a flight can be canceled due to the airline's mistakes (delays from incoming flights or technical glitches) or unforeseeable events (drone attacks).
"In such cases, airline and airport safety should be prioritized above all. They cannot resume transportation if safety is compromised. Consequently, neither passengers nor the carrier is to be blamed for delays or cancellations resulting from drone attacks. However, this doesn't mean the passenger lacks rights," Zhirova explains.
When delays occur due to the airline's error, passengers have the right to claim damages - the difference between the ticket price and the eventual purchasing cost. However, compensation is not provided in cases of drone attacks.
Passengers are also entitled to receive food and drinks for delays exceeding 2 hours, hot meals for delays of 4 hours, and overnight accommodation or transport if the flight is delayed for 6 hours at night or 8 hours during the day.
"The passenger deserves to reach their intended destination. The airline must offer alternative means of transport, not just flights, like trains or buses. The airline bears no responsibility if it lacks such facilities. Of course, the passenger is entitled to seek compensation for the paid ticket," the attorney comments.
When Drones Strike
- Drones strikes are often considered extraordinary circumstances that influence flight operations beyond the airline's control, similar to security risks and acts of war.
- Such incidents usually don't enforce financial compensation for passengers under EU Regulation 261/2004, since the drone strikes couldn't have been prevented or managed by the airline.
- Despite this, the airline must still furnish essential assistance to passengers, such as food, communication facilities, and accommodation, consistent with waiting time and flight distance.
Airline Errors: Claim Your Rights
- When delays are due to typical airline slip-ups like technical issues or operational problems (excluding hidden manufacturing defects), passengers may be eligible for compensation.
- The compensation sums under EU law usually depend on the delay length and flight distance. Examples include:
- Delays exceeding 3 hours may entitle passengers to up to €600 compensation.
- Updated regulations have boosted delay thresholds, requiring delays over 4 hours for intra-European flights to qualify for €300 compensation, and over 6 hours for long-haul flights, with up to €500 compensation[5].
- The airline must always provide essential assistance during delays, including food, communication facilities, and accommodation when necessary, starting from the specified delay thresholds[3].
In a Nutshell
| Cause of Delay | Compensation Eligibility | Essential Services by Airline ||----------------|-------------------------|-------------------------------||Drone attack (extraordinary circumstance) | No compensation required | Necessary care and assistance depending on delay duration and flight distance ||Airline fault (technical/operational) |Yes, if delay exceeds regulatory thresholds (3-6 hours depending on flight) | Care and assistance as above, plus compensation up to €600 or as per updated thresholds |
Remember, keeping calm and contacting the airline for specific claims is vital. If needed, you can seek help from legal experts or claims agencies. Additionally, travel insurance may provide protection for extraordinary events[1].
Shocking drone attacks may exempt airlines from providing financial compensation, but passengers remain entitled to essential support during delays. When it comes to airline errors, compensation and aid obligations are clearly defined and enforced by law.
- In the realm of travel news, it's essential for passengers to know their rights when encountering airline issues, especially flight delays and cancellations.
- Lifestyle news, particularly focusing on travel, frequently involves discussions about passenger rights during ordinary airline errors, extraordinary events such as drone attacks, and the compensation and essential services provided in such situations.
