Extraordinary circumstances under UK261: when airlines can refuse
Airlines do not have to pay UK261 compensation when a delay or cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances that could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. They often rely on this argument, so each case deserves a check.
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What usually counts
Severe weather making the flight unsafe, air traffic control restrictions or strikes, security risks and political instability are examples that are generally accepted as extraordinary.
What usually does not count
A technical fault found during routine maintenance is generally not treated as extraordinary. Strikes by the airline's own staff, and operational problems such as crew shortages, are generally not either.
The airline has to prove it
It is for the airline to show that extraordinary circumstances applied and that it took all reasonable measures to avoid the disruption. A vague reference to operational reasons is not enough.
Frequently asked questions
Is bad weather always an extraordinary circumstance?
No. It has to be a weather event that actually made the flight impossible or unsafe to operate, and the airline has to show it.
Can I still claim if the airline says it was extraordinary?
Yes. You can challenge the argument, and an eligibility check can look at what really happened on the day.
More guides
- Flight delay compensation in the UK: how UK261 works
- Flight cancellation compensation in the UK
- Denied boarding and overbooking: your UK261 rights
- How long do you have to claim flight compensation in the UK?
- Strikes and flight compensation in the UK: what you can claim
- Missed connecting flight: can you claim UK261 compensation?
- UK261 or EU261? Which rules apply to your flight after Brexit
- How to claim flight compensation in the UK step by step
- Airline refused your flight compensation? What to do next
- Delayed at the airport: meals, hotel and your right to care
Compensation by airline · Compensation by UK airport
This page is general information about UK261 and is not legal advice. Amounts and conditions depend on the facts of your flight.