Flight cancelled due to bad weather? How not to lose money and what your rights are

Winter snowfalls and storms are increasingly paralysing air travel, leaving passengers stranded at airports with no clear idea of what to do next. A cancelled or delayed flight does not have to spell disaster for your budget and your trip if you know your rights and the obligations of airlines in such situations. Find out when you are entitled to a refund, when meals and hotel accommodation are provided, and what to do to avoid losing your compensation

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Winter weather is one of the most common causes of flight disruptions. Snowfall, freezing rain, strong winds and fog can cause flights to be delayed for several hours or cancelled altogether. In such situations, it is important to understand your rights and how to act in order to minimise the loss of time and money.

Why flights are delayed or cancelled in winter

During the cold season, airlines and airports face several risks at once: icing of runways, the need for additional de-icing of aircraft, reduced visibility and flight safety restrictions. Even if the weather has improved at one airport, a chain reaction of delays can affect flights across the country or region.

Your basic rights as a passenger

If a flight is delayed or cancelled, passengers are not left to deal with the problem on their own. Regardless of the reason, the airline is obliged to offer a choice. You can agree to a full refund of the ticket price or an alternative flight to your destination — on the next available flight or on another convenient date.

In the event of a long delay, the carrier must provide basic care: food and drinks, and, if necessary, hotel accommodation and transfers between the airport and the place of accommodation. This rule applies even when the flight is disrupted due to bad weather.

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Rebooking and changing airlines

If the carrier does not have its own flights, it is obliged to rebook you on another airline's flight free of charge if this allows you to reach your destination faster. Passengers do not have to pay the difference in fares — this is the carrier's responsibility.

Compensation: when it is due and when it is not

In EU countries, the rule is that if a flight is delayed by three hours or more, passengers are entitled to compensation of between €250 and €600, depending on the length of the flight. However, there is an important exception. If the delay or cancellation was due to so-called ‘extraordinary circumstances’, which often include extreme weather conditions, the airline may be exempt from paying compensation.

Even in the event of force majeure, the right to a refund or alternative flight remains in full force.

During periods of unstable weather, passengers are also advised to plan alternative travel options in advance. It is convenient to check and book tickets for various modes of transport through Visit Ukraine — this allows you to quickly find available routes and adjust your trip in case of flight cancellations.

Reminder! Heavy snowfall has led to flight cancellations and delays at Poland's third-largest airport, Gdańsk. Find out which flights have been affected, what the airport is saying, and how to prepare for travel during bad weather.

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