Key Statutory Rules & Public Aviation Law Summary
How Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 calculates statutory compensation of €250, €400, or €600 per passenger when a flight arrives 3+ hours late at its final destination.
- Under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 and the Court of Justice ruling in Sturgeon v Condor (C-402/07), passengers arriving at their final destination 3 or more hours late are entitled to fixed statutory compensation unless caused by extraordinary circumstances.
- Distance brackets: €250 for flights up to 1,500 km; €400 for intra-EU flights over 1,500 km and other flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km; €600 for non-intra-EU flights exceeding 3,500 km.
- The 3-hour arrival threshold is measured at the exact moment at least one aircraft door is opened for disembarkation at the final destination (Germanwings v Henning, C-452/13).
- Under Article 3(1), EC 261/2004 covers all flights departing an EU/EEA/Swiss airport regardless of the airline's nationality, and flights departing outside the EU to an EU airport when operated by an EU Community carrier.
Related Statutory Passenger Guides:
Public Statutory Information Disclaimer: AeroStatute provides general public educational information regarding Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, UK261, the Montreal Convention 1999, Canada APPR, and US DOT regulations. This tool does not provide formal legal advice or act as a law firm.