A flight cancellation is defined as the non-operation of planned flight for which there was at least one (1) seat reservation.

If your flight is canceled you are entitled to:

Choice between:

• Return within seven (7) days of the ticket price for the part that was not used or even for the part that was used if the flight no longer serves any purpose or
• Alternative flight to final destination as soon as possible or
• Alternative flight to the final destination another day that will serve you, if seats are available

AND

Care as follows:

• meals and refreshments depending on the waiting time

• two phone calls, telex or fax or e-mail.

• accommodation and transfer between airport and accommodation (hotel or other), if the trip is to take place at least the next day

AND

Compensation as follows:

• for short-haul flights (up to 1500 km): 250 euros
• for medium-haul flights (from 1500 to 3500 km and intra-community over 1500 km): 400 euros           
• for long-haul flights (over 3500 km or not intra-community): 600 euros

(!) The above compensation can be reduced by 50%, if the airline offers you transfer on another flight, which in relation to the original flight for which you had booked, reaches the final destination:

• Up to two (2) hours later for all flights up to 1 500 km or
• Up to three (3) hours later for all intra-Community flights over 1 500 km and for all other flights between 1 500 and 3 500 km or
• Up to four (4) hours later for all flights not covered in (a) or (b)

In which cases you are NOT entitled to compensation?

Your entitlement to compensation in case of flight cancellation depends on the time that you were informed of the cancellation, but also of the alternative flights offered to you at that time.

In particular, you are not entitled to compensation if:

a. you have been notified of the cancellation at least two (2) weeks prior to the scheduled departure time

OR

b. you have been notified of the cancellation one (1) to two (2) weeks prior to the scheduled departure time

         and

offered you an alternative flight transfer with:

• departure at most two hours earlier than the scheduled departure time and
• arrival at your final destination no later than four hours after the scheduled arrival time,

Of course, if the offered alternative flight is outside these time limits you are entitled to compensation.

OR

c. you have been informed of the cancellation less than one (1) week before the scheduled departure time

       and

offered you an alternative flight transfer with:

• departure at most one hour earlier than the scheduled departure time and
• arrival at your final destination no later than two hours after the scheduled arrival time

Of course, if the offered alternative flight is outside these time limits you are entitled to compensation.

IMPORTANT: The operating air carrier is not obliged to pay compensation if it can prove that the cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable steps had been taken.