RULES WHICH CAME INTO FORCE IN 2005 GIVE AIR TRAVELERS COMPENSATION RIGHTS

Air travelers in all categories and from all countries can now claim compensation for flight cancellations, delays, and so on. As always, conditions apply, of course. See the story below for the latter:

[Q&A: Air passenger rights

Each year several million air passengers are the victims of sudden cancellations of flights or lengthy delays. However, rules which came into force in 2005 give air travellers compensation rights.

What if my flight is cancelled?

If the reason for your flight's cancellation is "within the airline's control", it must pay compensation.

You should be offered a refund of your ticket, along with a free flight back to your initial point of departure, when relevant. Or alternative transport to your final destination.

You should also have rights to meals, refreshments, hotel accommodation if necessary and, perhaps, even free e-mails or telephone calls.

However, airlines do not have to pay compensation if the reason for delays or cancellations is due to "extraordinary circumstances".

Airlines are likely to argue that bad weather, strike action, or delays caused by air-traffic control or security alerts are outside their control.

Compensation for cancellations must be paid within seven days.

However, if the airline has given passengers at least two week's notice or has provided an alternative flight, close to the time of the original, it does not have to compensate those customers.

What if my flight is delayed?

When a flight is delayed, the airline is obliged to supply meals and refreshments, along with accommodation if an overnight stay is required.

Whether you qualify will depend on the length of the flight and the delay.

For example, for flights of 1,500km or less where there is a delay of more than two hours, a passenger should be given meals and refreshments, along with two free telephone calls, e-mails, telexes or faxes.

If the delay is for five hours or more, passengers are also entitled to a refund of their ticket with a free flight back to your initial point of departure if this is relevant.

Do the rules only apply to EU residents?

No. Although the regulations have been created by the EU, you do not have to live within the EU to benefit.

Passengers travelling on all domestic and international flights taking off from any airport in the European Union, including French overseas territories, are covered by the regulations.

If you are travelling from an EU airport, all airlines - whether European or not - are subject to the rules.

People flying into the European Union from overseas are also be covered by the rules, as long as they are travelling on a European airline.

Are only scheduled flights covered by the compensation scheme?

It doesn't matter if you are flying no-frills, on a charter or scheduled service.

Flights originating from the EU, which have been sold as part of a package tour, are also covered.

What happens if my flight is overbooked?

Compensation must be paid immediately.

Passengers must also be offered the choice of a refund, a flight back to their original point of departure, or an alternative flight to continue their journey.

If an aeroplane has been overbooked, passengers who have already been allocated seats can choose if they want to volunteer their seat in return for cash, negotiated with the airline.

If you volunteer you should also be offered the choice of a refund, a flight back to their original point of departure, or an alternative flight to continue your journey.

Passengers who are inconvenienced through overbooking have rights to meals, refreshments, hotel accommodation if necessary and, perhaps, even free e-mails, faxes or telephone calls.]

SOURCE: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6199297.stm