What is a diverted flight?
A flight which is operated from the scheduled origin airport to an airport which does not correspond to the airport indicated as the final destination in accordance with the carrier’s/passenger’s original travel plan.
Why would a flight be diverted?
Flight can be diverted for various reasons. Weather conditions at final destination. Weather conditions on a flight route. Technical issues affecting aircraft capabilities. Passenger related issues such as health issues or disruptive behavior.
How much does it cost to divert a flight?
Diversions are costly for airlines. Diversions costs can range from tens of thousands $ for a narrow-body domestic flight to hundreds of thousands $ for a wide-body international flight.
Can I get compensation for a diverted flight?
The rights of air passengers and the obligations of airlines are stipulated in the EU Regulation No 261/2004 (EU 261/2004). You are entitled to compensation under EU 261/2004 if
– your flight took off on an EU airport regardless of the operating airline
– your flight was supposed to land at an EU airport and is operated by an EU carrier
– your flight is delayed for more than 3 hours from the original scheduled time of arrival
– the diversion was not due to any extraordinary circumstance outside of the airline’s control (extreme weather conditions, strikes unrelated to airline etc.)*
– the flight was diverted in the last 6 years
* Most technical problems which come to light during aircraft maintenance or are caused by failure to maintain an aircraft are not considered as extraordinary circumstances.
How much compensation can I get for diverted flight?
If the all criteria above are met you are entitled to compensation up to 600 € per passenger. The amount of this compensation depends on the duration of the delay and the distance of the flight.
