Flights can be delayed and sometimes cancelled altogether as airlines have to be absolutely certain an aircraft is fit to fly (and that conditions are fit to fly in) before take-off. Delays can sometimes be shorter than expected - the weather may suddenly improve, for instance. Therefore it is your responsibility to stay close to sources of departure information at the airport.

Since February 2005, the EU has adopted a new set of rules that provide passengers with stronger protection should they be denied boarding or subject to delays or cancellations. Airlines are obliged to provide meals, hotel accommodation and compensation depending on the situation. These rules apply to both charter and scheduled operations.

If you check in on time for any flight from an EU airport or to an EU airport from one outside the EU (when operated by an EU airline) and if the airline operating the flight expects a delay:

• of 2 hours or more, for flights of 1,500 km or less,
• of 3 hours or more, for longer flights within the EU, and for other flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km,
• of 4 hours or more for flights over 3,500 km outside the EU,

the airline must give you meals and refreshments, hotel accommodation when necessary (including transfers) and communication facilities. When the delay is 5 hours or more, the airline must also offer to refund your ticket (with a free flight back to your initial point of departure, when relevant).

Whenever your flight is cancelled, the operating airline must give you:

• a choice of either a refund of your ticket (with a free flight back to your initial point of departure, when relevant) or alternative transport to your final destination, and
• meals and refreshments, hotel accommodation when necessary (including transfers) and communication facilities.

If the delay or cancellation is caused by weather or forces outside of the control of the airline, there are no grounds for compensation.

For more information click here.