Airline Air Caraibes

As its name suggests, Air Caraïbes is a scheduled airline serving the Caribbean Sea. It is notably present in the French Antilles and French Guiana.

Its headquarters are in Les Abymes, at Pointe-à-Pitre airport in Guadeloupe. Its fleet is distributed across three bases: Paris-Orly airport, Guadeloupe-Pôle Caraïbes airport (in Les Abymes), and Martinique-Aimé Césaire airport.

Although it covers long distances, Air Caraïbes operates many domestic flights. It also serves other countries throughout the region, offering flights to Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, and more.

Although based overseas, Air Caraïbes remains a European airline. Therefore, European Union law fully applies to it.

Air Caraïbes, a European airline

Legally, Air Caraïbes is a European airline.

Indeed, its headquarters are in Guadeloupe, an overseas department.

As a department, it is part of the European Union, just like Metropolitan France.

This implies several things:

that Guadeloupe-Pôle Caraïbes airport is considered a European airport;
that legally, Air Caraïbes is a European airline.

The European regulation (EC) No 261/2004 governs aviation operations. It ensures identical rights across the entire European airspace.

This regulation applies to:

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

Since Guadeloupe is part of the European Union, Air Caraïbes is also covered by this regulation.

Except in rare cases, all flights operated by Air Caraïbes are subject to European regulations.

What rights does Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 provide?

The European regulation primarily defines the rights of air travellers and the obligations this entails for airlines.

These rights continue some of those defined in the Warsaw and Montreal Conventions, which govern civil aviation internationally.

The right to a replacement flight in case of cancellation or overbooking

If you arrive at boarding with a valid ticket and proper documents, the airline must get you to your destination.

However, this is not always possible. Sometimes, your flight may be cancelled, or the airline might deny you boarding due to overbooking. In such cases, they must offer you a replacement flight. This should be under the same conditions as the original flight. As a goodwill gesture, the airline might upgrade you.

If no re-routing solution suits you, you are entitled to a refund. This means you forgo your trip, as well as any assistance and compensation.

Assistance in case of significant delay

If you are flying with Air Caraïbes, you are likely travelling long distances. A delay can be more significant than on regional flights. You might need an extra meal at the airport or even have to stay overnight.

This can incur substantial costs. Air Caraïbes must cover these. You are also entitled to two phone calls.

Compensation, under certain conditions, in case of disruption

A flight disruption is a disadvantage for travellers. If you arrive late, if your flight is cancelled or overbooked, it can cause numerous organisational issues.

The fixed compensation provided by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 aims to compensate for this disadvantage.

It is not automatic: you must request it.

Moreover, it is not always due. The disadvantage must be real, and the airline's responsibility must be established.

The amount varies depending on the type of disruption and the distance travelled on your flight.

Compensation: what amounts are provided by European regulation?

A disrupted flight often results in the same outcome: a delay. However, it can have aggravating circumstances.

While the basic compensation scale remains the same, there are some variations.

In case of delay

A delay can happen quite quickly. On a plane, a margin of error of one hour is reasonable. It becomes more complicated from 2 or 3 hours onwards.

The European compensation scale is as follows:

€250 for a flight of less than 1500 km, due from 3 hours delay;
€400 for a non-EU flight of 1500 to 3500 km or an EU flight of more than 1500 km, due from 3 hours delay;
€600 for a non-EU flight of more than 3500 km, due from 4 hours delay.

Flights from the Mainland to Guadeloupe fall into the second category: they are over 3500 km but remain EU flights.

In case of cancellation

If your flight is cancelled, even with a short delay, there is a disadvantage linked to uncertainty. You are entitled to compensation from the first minute of delay. However, it is halved if the delay does not exceed certain limits. It is reduced to:

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

In case of overbooking

If you were denied boarding due to overbooking, you are entitled to compensation on the same basis as for a cancelled flight.

woman listening to music at the airport waiting for her flight with Air Caraibes

Are there any exceptions?

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 exempts the airline from compensating you:

if they informed you at least 15 days before your departure;
if they re-route you under the same conditions and at the same times as planned;
in case of extraordinary circumstances (bad weather, geopolitical issues, strikes…).

For extraordinary circumstances, we will assess the extent of Air Caraïbes' responsibility. In the case of bad weather (such as a tropical storm), they will not have to compensate you. However, if it is due to a strike by their staff, they will be required to do so.

Was your flight with Air Caraïbes disrupted? Check if you are entitled to compensation

Air travel always carries the risk of disruptions, and there are many possible reasons. If you experienced any with Air Caraïbes, you might be entitled to compensation.

This is not automatically due, so you might wonder if it is worth engaging in lengthy and uncertain procedures.

Why not let us handle it for you? Delayed, a specialist in air passenger rights, can assist you in making your claim.