Air travel is an integral part of modern life, but delays and cancellations can cause significant inconvenience to passengers. According to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, passengers are entitled to compensation under certain conditions. This article examines the available data on the number of Bulgarian passengers who received compensation in 2024 and discusses the challenges they face.
Available Data and Challenges
Currently, there are no officially published statistical data on the exact number of Bulgarian passengers who received compensation in 2024. This is due to several factors:
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Lack of a centralized database: Although Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 establishes passenger rights, there is no unified European or national system for collecting and publishing data on paid compensations.
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Various channels for filing claims: Passengers can file claims directly with airlines, through intermediaries like ClaimHelp, or other organizations. This diversity complicates the aggregation of comprehensive data.
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Low passenger awareness: Many passengers are unaware of their rights or do not take action to obtain compensation. According to a survey conducted among passengers from eight European countries, 75% of passengers whose flights were delayed by more than three hours did not receive compensation, despite being entitled to it.
Passenger Rights Under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004
The regulation provides the following compensations for flight delays or cancellations:
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€250 for flights up to 1,500 kilometers.
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€400 for intra-Community flights over 1,500 kilometers and all other flights between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometers.
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€600 for all other flights.