If you experience any of these situations, you should first contact the airline operating the flight, or the airport when it concerns assistance for passengers with reduced mobility. If necessary, you can also file a complaint with the national enforcement body of the EU Member State where the incident occurred, since air passenger rights are governed by an EU regulation applicable in all Member States. In Portugal, the competent authority is the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC). Complaints may be submitted via ANAC’s online form or by email ([email protected]).
Below, a table normally sets out the compensation amounts due in cases of flight delay or cancellation under EU rules.
If you are denied boarding due to overbooking, you may choose between a refund and return to your point of departure, or re‑routing to your final destination. In addition, you may be entitled to compensation between €250 and €600, depending on the characteristics of the flight.
These amounts may be reduced by half if you reach your destination only a few hours later than originally scheduled. While you wait, the airline must provide drinks, meals and, where necessary, hotel accommodation free of charge, as well as means of communication to contact family or others.
When boarding is denied due to overbooking, airlines must first seek volunteers willing to give up their seats in exchange for agreed benefits.
Rita Duarte | [email protected]