| European Union regulation | |
 | |
| Title | Regulation establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights |
|---|---|
| Made by | European Parliament and Council of the European Union |
| Made under | Art. 79(2) TEC |
| Journal reference | L46, pp. 1–8 |
| History | |
| Date made | 11 February 2004 |
| Entry into force | 17 February 2005 |
| Preparative texts | |
| Reports | |
| Other legislation | |
| Replaces | Regulation (EEC) No 295/91 |
| Amended by | — |
The Air Passengers Rights Regulation 2004[1][2] (Regulation (EC) No 261/2004) is a regulation in EU law establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding, flight cancellations, or long delays of flights. It requires compensation of €250 to €600[3] depending on the flight distance for delays over of at least three hours,[4] cancellations, or being denied boarding from overbooking. Delays shorter than three hours means no entitlement to any compensation of any kind even if the delay was classified as non-extraordinary. Airlines must provide refreshments and accommodation where appropriate. The Court of Justice of the European Union has interpreted passenger rights strictly, so that there are virtually no exceptions for airlines to evade their obligations for breach of contract.
It repealed Regulation (EEC) No 295/91, and went into effect on 17 February 2005.
- ^ a b Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 February 2004 establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights, and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 295/91
- ^ "Press Release No 78/23" (PDF). Court of Justice of the European Union. 11 May 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
- ^ "Flight Delay Compensation Passenger Rights". Flight Delay Compensation rights for passengers.
- ^ Articles 3 and 4 of Regulation (EC) No 261/2004[1]