Air passenger rights include specific laws that support passengers and a claim for compensation when people face disruption caused by airlines including Tunisair.

Although the outlines of the law vary from state to state, these types of laws are common in local and international regions. Simply put, this means that if a person steals they have legal rights.

Air passenger rights and regulations to know

While states obey their laws, there are some key features of regional and international laws that are powerful tools for travelers. These include the EU regulation CE 261.

Some regulations are broader in scope or prove to be more advantageous than others. However, it is advisable to keep in mind that the disruptions in the flight circumstances can differ greatly from each other, and it is helpful to know what forces can be relied on during your trip.

–    What is the EC 261 law?

It is a regulation of European law which gives priority to the passenger. The regulation places a financial liability on airlines when air travel takes an unexpected turn, provided the disruption is not caused by circumstances beyond the airline’s control.

Compared to other passenger rights laws, EC 261 is one of the most comprehensive. This important piece of legislation plays a vital role in supporting air passengers and passenger rights, not just European passengers. Any passenger departing from a European airport is covered by law. Even under certain circumstances, passengers arriving in Europe from other continents may also be covered.

Compensation of law EC 261 for disrupted flights

Sometimes passengers do not understand that in many cases those who are legally and financially responsible for the flight problems are in fact the airlines and not the passengers themselves.

Depending on the flight, the flight process and the final destination, understanding passenger rights and filing a claim can result in a refund of up to $ 700 per flight.

Your rights under CE 261

EC 261 is an extensive piece of legislation that obliges airlines to compensate passengers in the event of:

– Failure to board the aircraft
– Cancellation of flights
– Large flight delay (three hours or more)

The amount of compensation to which passengers are entitled depends on many variables such as the distance of the flight and the length of your delay on the way to your final destination.

In addition to monetary compensation, EC 261 includes other rights related to your care. Some of them include:

Obligation to notify passengers of their rights

Your first fundamental right is to know the content of the law. Each airline must present information on passenger rights at the check-in counter of each airport where it operates.

– Right of refund or redirection

In addition to compensation for your lost time, if the delay exceeds five hours, you are entitled to a partial or full refund of the price of your original plane ticket and in addition, if necessary, a plane ticket back to your starting point.

– The right to assistance

When a flight is disrupted and you’re stranded waiting for the airline to get you back on track on your way to your destination, you are entitled to a few basics that depend on the details of your flight.

The airline is required to provide you with items such as

– Food and drink during the delay
– Communication access, which includes two phone calls, faxes and emails
– If an overnight stay is required, the company is obligated to provide a hotel room, airport transfer and return airport transfer.

– Upgrade or vice versa

If you have the option of boarding another flight, with an upgrade of your seat from the original place you purchased, the airline should not charge you any additional fees. On the other hand, if your seat on the alternative flight is lower than your original flight, you will receive a credit of between 30 and 75% of the original price you paid for the seat.

– Additional compensation

Your right to compensation under EC 261 does not affect your right to claim additional compensation. However, this law does not apply in cases where the passenger himself has renounced his reservation. Of course, it is possible to deduct the additional compensation from the initial amount of compensation to which you are entitled under the original law.

Which flights are covered by EC 261?

Most routes in Europe are covered. This includes not only the airspace of Europe, but also countries like Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and the “outer regions” (French Guinea, San Martin, Canary Islands, etc.).

Many international flights are also covered. If your Tunisair flight takes off from an airport in Europe, it is covered by law.

What is not covered (flight delayed by exceptional circumstances)?

CE 261 states that airlines are not required to pay compensation if the disruption is caused by exceptional circumstances circumstances beyond the control of the airline. For example, you will not be entitled to compensation if the delay occurs due to any of the following:

– Strikes started by air traffic control officers at airports
– Political turmoil
– Stormy weather
– Security risks

Despite this, Tunisair must show that it took reasonable steps to avoid the delay. For example, stormy weather can be considered a rare case. However, if other airlines were willing to do such a thing and avoided delays, when yours were not, you would still be entitled to compensation.