General guidelines

The aviation rules governing flight cancellations and delays have been subject to disputes and different interpretations, and they can be very confusing to ordinary passengers.

Here are some general guidelines to consider the next time you fly:

• Passengers flying into the European Union aboard a UAE or any other airline should double check the EU rules on flight cancellations or delays. European Union regulations apply to any carrier, irrespective of its nationality, flying to or from an EU airport.

• Consumers aboard an EU airline flying to and from Europe and elsewhere should also refer to EU rules. European airlines are always regulated by EU rules, even if they fly outside the EU.

• Passengers who book with Emirates Airlines, Etihad, Qatar or any other non-EU airlines flying to and from a non-EU airport should keep an eye on international conventions, which can be Warsaw or Montreal. There may be national or regional legislation that needs to be considered, depending on the region the carriers are flying to or from.

• The UAE has no regulation equivalent to the EU rules for passenger rights in case of delays and cancellations.

• The eligibility of passengers in case of delays depends on the cause of the disruption. Airlines may refuse to compensate a passenger for delays caused by bad weather or anything beyond their control.

• A passenger may not be entitled to a compensation if there is no damage caused.

• Most airlines don’t provide hotel stays for Dubai-based passengers when their flights are delayed.