What are my rights if my flight is delayed or cancelled due to a bird strike?
Sometimes, birds fly into the engine of a plane. This mainly happens during take-off or landing and is known as a bird strike. Bird strikes can cause delays and may even lead to cancellations.
Flight delay or cancellation
If a bird flies into an airplane’s engine during take-off, the pilot will usually return to the airport. After landing, a mechanic will check the engine and repair it if necessary, which can lead to long delays. If the engine cannot be repaired, the airplane will not be able to fly and the flight will be cancelled.
EU passenger rights
General passenger rights for delays or cancellations do apply. You are entitled to food and drinks while you wait, for example, and in some cases you are entitled to an alternative flight or a refund. Scroll down to find out what the airline should give you if your flight is delayed or cancelled due to a bird strike.
Compensation
You are not entitled to compensation if your flight is delayed or cancelled because of a bird strike, as there is nothing the airline could have done to prevent it from happening. It is a case of force majeure.
Choose your situation
Choose your situation
If your flight is delayed due to a bird strike, you have certain rights in the EU. You only have these rights if your flight departs from or arrives in an EU member state, Norway, Iceland or the United Kingdom. If you are flying to one of these countries from outside the EU, your flight has to be operated by an EU airline.
Reasonable care in the event of a delay
If your flight is delayed by more than 2 hours, the airline must provide:
- food and drinks
- compensation for 2 phone calls, 2 e-mails or 2 faxes
- an overnight stay in a hotel if the flight is
rescheduled for the next day - transportation from the airport to the hotel and back
You may have to pay the costs yourself first, but you can reclaim them from the airline later. If you pay for things yourself, keep the receipts. Follow our roadmap to reclaim the costs.
Refund or alternative flight
If your flight is delayed by more than 5 hours, you are entitled to cancel your flight. Simply tell the airline that you no longer wish to travel. The airline is required to:
- offer you an alternative flight
- or refund the full ticket price
If you opt for a refund, the airline must refund you your money within 7 days. Follow our step-by-step guide to reclaim your money.
No additional compensation
You are not entitled to extra compensation in the event of a bird strike, as there is nothing the airline could have done to prevent it from happening. It is a case of force majeure, which means the airline does not have to pay compensation.
#passenger-rights-delay-bird-strike
If your flight is cancelled due to a bird strike, you have certain rights in the EU. You only have these rights if your flight departs from or arrives in an EU member state, Norway, Iceland or the United Kingdom. If you are flying to one of these countries from outside the EU, your flight has to be operated by an EU airline.
Reasonable care in the event of a cancellation
If your flight is cancelled due to a bird strike, the airline must provide:
- food and drinks
- compensation for 2 phone calls, 2 e-mails or 2 faxes
- an overnight stay in a hotel if the flight is
rescheduled for the next day - transportation from the airport to the hotel and back
You may have to pay the costs yourself first, but you can reclaim them from the airline later. If you pay for things yourself, keep the receipts. Follow our step-by-step guide to reclaim the costs.
Refund or alternative flight
Was your flight cancelled due to a bird strike? The airline is required to:
- offer you an alternative flight
- or refund the full ticket price
If you opt for a refund, the airline must refund you your money within 7 days. Follow our step-by-step guide to reclaim your money.
No additional compensation
You are not entitled to extra compensation in the event of a bird strike, as there is nothing the airline could have done to prevent it from happening. It is a case of force majeure, which means the airline does not have to pay compensation.
#passenger-rights-cancellation-bird-strike
Need help with a complaint?
The European Consumer Centre (ECC) offers free legal advice and can assist you with making a claim against a non-Dutch airline based in the EU, Norway, Iceland, or the United Kingdom.
If your complaint is about a Dutch airline, please contact:
- The Legal Aid Service (Juridisch Loket)
- The Consumer Authority (ACM ConsuWijzer)
- The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT)
Please note that the above links refer to Dutch websites.