Airline Air Arabia

Air Arabia is a low-cost airline from the United Arab Emirates. It is the largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa. The airline also has three subsidiaries: Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, Air Arabia Egypt, and Air Arabia Maroc.

Including these subsidiaries, Air Arabia serves over 190 destinations in 40 different countries, including 10 European countries. It operates at eight French airports.

Although it is focused on the Middle East, Air Arabia also serves Southeast Asia (India, Thailand, Malaysia…) as well as the African Continent (Uganda, Sudan, Somaliland).

Air Arabia and European regulations

Among the 10 European countries served by Air Arabia, 6 are in the European Union: Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Italy, and the Netherlands. The airline also serves Switzerland, which is subject to European regulations.

Air Arabia adheres to the laws of the countries it operates in. As most flights are between different countries, it is not always easy to determine which law applies onboard.

It could be the law of the departure country, the destination country, or the country of origin of the airline. Generally, all three apply simultaneously. Thus, multiple legislations can be applicable at the same time.

The European regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 established a number of rights for air travellers.

It applies to:

all flights departing from an airport within the European Community (including Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland);
flights to the same community area, operated by an airline based there.

Therefore, Air Arabia is only concerned with flights departing from the European Union (or Switzerland). Additionally, if your flight has a stopover in the European Union but departs from and arrives in a third country, it is not covered. A flight, even with a stopover, is always considered in its entirety. Only the origin and final destination are taken into account.

What are Air Arabia's obligations according to Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004?

European regulations only apply to Air Arabia for flights departing from the European Community area. For these flights, the airline has a number of obligations.

Getting you to your destination

This right is already guaranteed by the Warsaw and Montreal Conventions. However, European regulations provide a specific application of it.

When you have a ticket in your name, you commit to presenting yourself on time for boarding, with valid documents. If you meet these two conditions, the airline must transport you.

There may be instances where this is not possible. Sometimes, the flight is delayed, but other times, it is simply cancelled. You may also be denied boarding due to overbooking. More tickets were sold than there were seats available on the aircraft. For obvious reasons, not everyone can be allowed to board.

The airline is still obliged to get you to your destination. Therefore, Air Arabia must offer you an alternative flight.

If no solution is suitable, you can request a cancellation with a refund. This is also possible in the event of a delay of more than 5 hours.

In the event of a flight cancellation, you forfeit any further assistance. You will need to make your own travel arrangements and cannot claim any compensation.

Taking care of you in case of significant delay

Air Arabia operates many long-haul flights. If your flight is significantly delayed, it may incur costs for you.

In the event of a significant delay, the airline must at least provide you with meals and drinks. If not, it will cover these costs at one of the airport's shops.

Additionally, if you need to stay overnight, it must cover your accommodation expenses.

You are also entitled to two phone calls covered by the airline.

Compensating you, under conditions, in case of a disrupted flight

Finally, if your flight is disrupted, European regulations provide for a fixed compensation. This is subject to conditions and you must make a claim. Depending on the reasons for the disruption, Air Arabia reserves the right to refuse it.

What is the amount of compensation?

The amount of compensation depends on the type of disruption and the length of your flight.

In case of delay

If your flight is delayed, no compensation is due unless the delay exceeds a certain duration. The amounts are:

€250 for a flight of less than 1500 km with a delay of 3 hours or more;
€400 for a non-EU flight between 1500 and 3500 km or an EU flight of more than 1500 km with a delay of 3 hours or more;
€600 for a non-EU flight of more than 3500 km with a delay of 4 hours or more.

Given the destinations covered by Air Arabia, your flight will always be non-EU.

In case of cancellation

If your flight is cancelled, the situation is slightly different. You will be rebooked on another flight. The same scale applies, but compensation is due from the first minute of delay. However, it is reduced by 50% in case of limited delay. Thus, it becomes:

€125 for a flight of less than 1500 km with a delay of less than 2 hours;
€200 for a non-EU flight between 1500 and 3500 km or an EU flight of more than 1500 km with a delay of less than 3 hours;
€300 for a non-EU flight of more than 3500 km with a delay of less than 4 hours.

In case of overbooking

In the event of overbooking, the level of compensation is the same as for a cancellation. The airline will be deemed automatically responsible and must compensate you accordingly.

loading at the airport of an Air Arabia airline aircraft

Excluded Reasons

In certain cases, Air Arabia will be exempt from compensating you. Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 excludes certain cases from compensation:

if the airline notified you at least two weeks in advance;
if it rebooks you at the same departure and arrival times, without downgrading;
in case of extraordinary circumstances (strike, geopolitical event, bad weather…).

A strike is not a valid reason if it is Air Arabia's own staff on strike. This only applies to third-party staff (baggage handlers, air traffic controllers…).

Do you want to know if your Air Arabia flight entitles you to compensation? Delayed helps you understand

If your Air Arabia flight departs from a European airport, it is subject to European regulations.

Have you experienced a delay, cancellation, or overbooking? You may be entitled to compensation.

Delayed, a specialist in air passenger rights, helps you make your claim.