Jorge Silva / X
Queues at Humberto Delgado Airport, Lisbon
Storm Goretti is wreaking havoc across Europe and leading to flight delays and cancellations. European and British law stipulates obligations for all airlines to provide assistance to passengers.
The harsh European winter halted air travel across Europe in early 2026, canceling hundreds of flights and leaving many passengers uncertain about their rights.
Winter-related flight chaos can be especially stressful, as bad weather can interrupt services for days and leave travelers stranded far from home. However, under UK and EU aviation law, passengers are protected by a clear set of rights covering cancellations, delays and assistance.
EU regulations apply to flights within the UK or EU operated by any airlineas well as flights arriving in the UK or EU from outside the region, if operated by a UK or EU airline, explains .
In these cases, passengers are generally entitled to compensation if their flight arrives at its final destination more than three hours late, with compensation that vary between 250 and 600 eurosdepending on the distance.
If a flight is cancelled, travelers have the right to choose between a full refund, re-routing to their destination or a return flight to their original departure point. Airlines are also required to provide assistance at the airportincluding meals, drinks and accommodation, if passengers are rescheduled to travel the next day.
However, compensation rules change when disruptions are caused by so-called “extraordinary circumstances”. The airlines are not required to pay compensation financial when cancellations or delays are due to unpredictable and extreme events, such as severe storms or volcanic ash clouds. Still, airlines continue to have a legal obligation to assist, which includes providing assistance, rebooking flights or making refunds.
Consumer protection experts emphasize that not all bad weather qualifies as extraordinary. While a rare snowstorm in an unusual region may be considered extraordinary, typical winter weather conditions in colder climates do not generally fall into this category. It is important to highlight that delays caused indirectly by weather, such as side effects from previous disruptions, may still entitle passengers to compensation.
Travel insurance can offer additional protection. Depending on the policy, travelers may request a refund for delaysmissed calls, meals or accommodation if flights are delayed by several hours due to bad weather. Some policies also allow for trip cancellation if delays exceed 12 hours or if accommodation becomes unusable due to severe weather conditions.
Experts advise passengers to keep all receipts and airline documents and to ensure that insurance policies are purchased before extreme weather events become public. As winter continues, it is recommended that travelers stay informed and understand their rights before heading to the airport.
