A flight cancellation refers to the non-execution of a flight that was previously scheduled and for which a reservation had been made.

In the event of a flight cancellation, the affected passengers have the following rights:

• The right to a refund of the ticket (and, if applicable, the return flight to the original departure location), within seven days,
  or to reroute to their final destination.

If the passenger chooses to change the route, the airline must provide alternative transportation to the destination as soon as possible, at no extra charge. During the waiting period for the alternative flight (if the waiting time is 2 hours or longer), the airline must provide care, including:

• Meals and refreshments,
• The opportunity to make two phone calls, send two telex or fax messages, or send two emails (in reasonable relation to the waiting time);
• If the new flight departs at least one day after the cancelled flight, the airline must provide hotel accommodation and transport to the hotel.

Passengers are also entitled to financial compensation, as follows:

• €250 for all flights of 1,500 km or less,
• €400 for all flights within the EU over 1,500 km and for all other flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km,
• €600 for all flights not covered by the previous points.

The airline will not be required to pay compensation if:

• The flight was cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances (events that the airline could not have avoided even if it had taken all possible measures, such as adverse weather conditions, etc.);
• The airline informed the passenger of the cancellation more than 2 weeks before the scheduled flight date;
• The airline informed the passenger of the cancellation less than 2 weeks before the flight but offered an alternative flight on the same route and with a similar schedule to the original flight.

Here is a summary of when passengers are not entitled to compensation:

Passenger informed of flight cancellation	Alternative transport departs	Alternative transport arrives at destination
7 to 14 days before	Up to 2 hours earlier	Up to 4 hours later
Up to 7 days before	Up to 1 hour later	Up to 2 hours later