Flight delay or cancellation at Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport
Located 12 km from Bordeaux, Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport dates back to the 1930s. In its early days, it was one of the largest French airports, holding the status of an "air port" on par with Le Bourget or Marseille.
Air traffic has evolved, and today, it primarily handles domestic flights. However, there are also airlines offering long-haul flights, particularly to overseas territories (Corsair, Aircalin). Additionally, it serves as an important airbase for the French Air Force.
As a European civil airport, Bordeaux-Mérignac must comply with various legal regulations. Delayed helps you understand and enforce these rights.
Your rights at Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport
Although it presents itself as an international airport, Bordeaux-Mérignac remains a French and European airport. Therefore, European law generally applies to your journey, regardless of your destination.
On a domestic or intra-EU flight, you won't have access to Duty Free. However, this is available if your flight leaves the European community area.
As a European airport, Bordeaux-Mérignac is subject to European regulation (EC) No. 261/2004. This regulation entitles you to a fixed compensation in cases of delay, flight cancellation, or overbooking.
Which flights does EC 261 cover?
European regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 applies to any flight operated by an airline from an EU Member State. It also covers any flight departing from, arriving in, or transiting through one of these Member States.
If you are flying from or to Bordeaux, this regulation applies to you. It provides for fixed compensation, the amount of which may vary depending on the duration of your flight.
To be eligible for this compensation, however, certain conditions must be met. The airline is responsible for compensating you, so the incident must be their fault. Additionally, if it's a delay, it must exceed a certain duration.
Strike at Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport
Does a strike at Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport entitle you to compensation? It depends on which service is on strike.
It could be airline staff, air traffic controllers, baggage handlers, security agents, customs officers... Some are directly employed by the airport, others by an airline, some by a subcontractor, and others are civil servants.
In the event of a strike, compensation is only due if it is the airline's staff who are striking.
Compensation for a delay at Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport
If the airline is found to be at fault, you are entitled to fixed compensation under certain conditions.
Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 sets thresholds beyond which a delay is considered excessive. These durations depend on the length of your flight. The amount of compensation varies accordingly.
They are as follows:
- €250 for a delay of more than 2 hours on a flight of less than 1500 km
- €400 for a delay of more than 3 hours on an extra-EU flight of 1500 to 3500 km or an intra-EU flight of more than 1500 km
- €600 for a delay of more than 4 hours on an extra-EU flight of more than 3500 km
This highest level of compensation applies to only a few airlines. These include Air Transat, which serves Canada, and airlines serving the Maghreb (Air Algérie, Royal Air Maroc, and Nouvelair, which serves Tunisia).
For flights to French overseas territories, the situation is a bit more complex. It depends on the status of the territory you are visiting. You can fly to Guadeloupe from Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport. Although you are leaving the European continent, it remains an intra-EU flight.
However, if you take a flight to Nouméa with Aircalin, it is an extra-EU flight. Although New Caledonia is French, it is a territory outside the European Union. In this case, the €600 compensation applies.
Claiming compensation for a cancelled flight at Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport
If your flight is cancelled, the same compensation regime applies under the same conditions. If the airline is responsible for the cancellation, they must compensate you. They must also offer you re-routing or, if no satisfactory solution is available, refund your ticket.
Unlike delays, in the event of a cancellation, compensation is due regardless of the delay caused. However, it may be halved if the airline limits the delay upon arrival:
- from €250 to €125 for a flight of less than 1500 km with less than 2 hours delay
- from €400 to €200 for an extra-EU flight of 1500 to 3500 km or an intra-EU flight of more than 1500 km with less than 3 hours delay
- from €600 to €300 for an extra-EU flight of more than 3500 km with less than 4 hours delay.
Overbooking at Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport
If you experience overbooking, the airline is always responsible. Compensation is therefore due. The amount is the same as for a flight cancellation.
The airline must also re-route you or, if necessary, refund you.
What to do in case of a flight issue at Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport?
The procedure depends on the issue. First, determine if your flight is cancelled, delayed, or overbooked. Your first point of contact should be the airline. They can inform you about the reason for the delay or cancellation.
In the case of overbooking, as you understand, the airline is responsible. If your flight is delayed or cancelled, it is less clear.
If your flight is cancelled due to a strike by airport staff or air traffic controllers, the airline is not responsible. Therefore, compensation is not due. However, you are still entitled to care, including meals or accommodation expenses.
Delayed assists you in case of flight disruption at Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport
Are you experiencing issues with a flight departing from Bordeaux-Mérignac? Is your flight cancelled, delayed, or overbooked? You may be entitled to fixed compensation under Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004. This depends on whether the airline is responsible and the distance of your flight.
Delayed, a specialist in air passenger rights, helps you verify and enforce your rights.