Have you recently gone to the airport to find out that your flight is delayed or overbooked? Find out about your rights in such cases and make sure to assert them!

What are my rights if my flight is delayed?

When you are flying from an airport located in the European Union, or from an airport located outside the EU to an EU member state on a flight operated by an EU air carrier, and your flight is delayed, you are entitled to rights. The air carrier must inform you about your rights.

These rights also apply to low-cost airlines and charter flights.

• Delay of two or more hours: Air carrier must offer you a free meal and refreshments plus two free phone calls, fax or e-mail messages.

• Delay of five or more hours: Air carrier must also offer you a choice between a refund of the ticket or a return flight to your first point of departure.

• Delay till next day: Air carrier must also offer free hotel accommodation including transport.

What if my flight is overbooked?

If you are bumped off a flight because it is overbooked, the airline owes you financial compensation. This can range from €250 to €600 depending on the distance.

You are also entitled to a refund of the cost of your ticket or a return flight to your first point of departure or a re-routing to your final destination.

Next week we will feature information on cancelled flights.

For further information contact the European Consumer Centre of Malta and the Consumers Association at 47a South Street, Valletta, tel: 2122 1901, e-mail ecc.malta@gov.mt or info@camalta.org, or visit www.camalta.org.

You can also phone the Consumer and Competition Division on freephone 8007 4400.

Across the EU, consumers have rights. Insist on yours.