Extraordinary Circumstances Explained
Airlines often cite 'extraordinary circumstances' to deny compensation. Here's what actually qualifies — and what doesn't — under EU law.
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Forordningen dækker specifikke typer forstyrrelser. At kende forskellen mellem kvalificerende og ikke-kvalificerende hændelser er det første skridt mod et vellykket krav.
Kvalificerende hændelser
Du har ret til fast erstatning, hvis et af følgende gælder:
- ✓Technical faults or mechanical issues (NOT extraordinary — airline's responsibility)
- ✓Crew shortages, sick crew, or staff strikes (NOT extraordinary — airline's responsibility)
- ✓Bird strikes (NOT extraordinary in most court rulings)
- ✓Operational delays, turnaround issues, late incoming aircraft (NOT extraordinary)
Ekstraordinære omstændigheder
Flyselskaber kan være undtaget fra at betale erstatning, hvis forstyrrelsen skyldtes:
- ✗Severe weather making flying genuinely impossible (heavy snow, thunderstorms, fog below minimums)
- ✗Air traffic control strikes or system-wide restrictions
- ✗Volcanic ash, earthquake, or natural disaster affecting the airport
- ✗Genuine security threats (bomb scares, terrorism, political unrest)
Hvor meget kan du kræve?
EC 261/2004 fastsætter faste erstatningsbeløb baseret på flyrejsedistance. Der er ingen skønsmargin — hvis du er berettiget, skylder de dig disse beløb ved lov.
| Flyrejsedistance | Minimumsforsinkelse | Erstatning |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1.500 kmf.eks. London → Paris | 3 timer+ | €250 |
| 1.500 – 3.500 kmf.eks. London → Kairo | 3 timer+ | €400 |
| Over 3.500 kmf.eks. Frankfurt → New York | 3–4 timer | €300 |
| Over 3.500 kmf.eks. Frankfurt → New York | 4 timer+ | €600Maksimum |
Sådan ansøger du om erstatning
Processen er ligetil. AirHelp håndterer den juridiske kompleksitet, så du ikke behøver at jage flyselskaber eller sætte dig ind i EU-retten.
Angiv dit flynummer og rejsedato. EC 261/2004 gælder flyrejser, der afgår fra EU-lufthavne, eller flyrejser, der ankommer til EU med et EU-baseret flyselskab.
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No. The European Court of Justice ruled in Wallentin-Hermann v Alitalia (C-549/07) that technical problems are inherent to airline operations and are NOT extraordinary circumstances. Airlines must maintain their aircraft — failures are their responsibility.
Courts have increasingly ruled that bird strikes are NOT extraordinary circumstances, because they are foreseeable events in aviation. The trend in EU case law is against airlines on this point, though some national courts still disagree.
It depends on WHO is striking. The airline's own staff striking is NOT extraordinary (they can negotiate better). ATC or airport staff strikes ARE extraordinary because the airline cannot control them.
This is a catch-all term airlines use that almost never constitutes extraordinary circumstances. Late incoming aircraft, crew rotation issues, scheduling problems — these are all within the airline's control and responsibility.
You don't have to verify it yourself. AirHelp cross-references flight data, weather records, ATC logs, and court precedents to determine if the airline's excuse is valid. Many airlines over-claim extraordinary circumstances to avoid paying.
Generally no. The 'knock-on effect' of a previous delay is NOT extraordinary. Airlines are expected to build buffer time into their schedules. If they run tight turnarounds and it causes cascading delays, that's their operational choice.
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