Compensation for Flight Delays for Delft Residents

Compensation for Flight Delays for Delft Residents

As a resident of Delft, you are entitled to financial compensation for flight delays if your flight arrives more than three hours late. Under European Regulation 261/2004, you can receive €250 to €600, depending on the distance, unless extraordinary circumstances are the cause. These rules safeguard your consumer rights, particularly useful for flights from nearby Rotterdam The Hague Airport.

Legal Basis for Compensation in Case of Flight Delays

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council (11 February 2004) governs passenger rights in cases of delay, cancellation and overbooking. Key provisions include:

• Article 5: Right to care from two hours' delay, such as meals, drinks, phone calls and, if necessary, hotel accommodation.
• Article 7: Compensation for arrival delays of three hours or more.
• Article 16: Airlines must pay out within a reasonable time.

These rules apply to flights departing from an EU country or arriving in the EU with an EU airline. In the Netherlands, the ACM oversees compliance. For Delft residents: in case of issues, contact the Juridisch Loket Delft or the District Court of The Hague.

When Are You Eligible for Compensation as a Delft Resident?

You can claim flight delay compensation if:

• Your flight lands at the final destination more than three hours late.
• The delay is the airline's responsibility (not due to extraordinary factors such as severe storms, volcanic eruptions or air traffic control strikes).
• The flight falls within EU scope: departure from the Netherlands (e.g., Rotterdam or Schiphol) or arrival with airlines like Transavia, KLM or Ryanair.

Extraordinary circumstances often lead to rejection, but airlines must prove this. The District Court of The Hague scrutinises this thoroughly in local cases.

Overview of Compensation Amounts

Compensation is based on flight distance and delay duration:

Source: Article 7(2) Regulation 261/2004.

Practical Examples for Delft Residents

Example 1: Transavia flight from Rotterdam to Barcelona (1,300 km) delayed by 4.5 hours due to a technical defect. You receive €250 – defects are the airline's fault.

Example 2: KLM flight from Schiphol (popular with Delft residents) to Lisbon (1,700 km) delayed by six hours due to ground staff strike. Compensation applies for internal strikes.

Example 3: Ryanair flight from Alicante to Rotterdam delayed by three hours due to snowfall. No compensation due to extreme weather.

Many Delft residents succeed with claims via apps or lawyers. Recently, the District Court of The Hague ruled that airlines must pay despite COVID claims.

Rights and Obligations in Case of Delay

Your rights:

• Care: From 2 hours' delay: food/drinks. For 4+ hours or overnight flights: hotel and shuttle.
• Refund: Full ticket price back if you cancel after >5 hours' delay.
• Compensation: As described above.

Your obligations:

• Request care at the desk.
• Keep your boarding pass, ticket and delay information.
• File claim promptly: 2-6 years, depending on jurisdiction.

Step-by-Step Claim Process in Delft

1. Gather evidence: boarding pass, booking, flight details.
2. Submit claim to airline (template via passenger rights).
3. No response after 6 weeks? Use claim services or Juridisch Loket Delft.
4. Court: Proceed to the district court at the District Court of The Hague – no court fee up to €25,000.

FAQ: Flight Delay Compensation

Tips for Delft Residents on Compensation

Consult the Juridisch Loket Delft for free advice. Use apps for automatic claims and avoid high no-win-no-fee fees. Always keep documents for Municipality of Delft or court cases.