Bristol Airport

Bristol Airport is located 13 km from the city. Built on a former Royal Air Force base, it opened as Bristol-Lulsgate Airport. In 2019, it was the eighth largest airport in the UK, with nearly 9 million passengers.

Currently, it offers 117 destinations in 33 different countries. Most airlines operating from Bristol are based in the UK or within the European Economic Area. However, there are also connections to third countries.

From Bristol, you can also find flights to the Channel Islands (Jersey and Guernsey), Turkey, and Cape Verde. With Brexit, it is not always easy to know which flights are governed by European law.

This article helps clarify the situation.

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004

Within the European Economic Area, there has been a common regulation since 2004, known as Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.

Its scope covers:

flights departing from the European Economic Area (including Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland)
flights arriving in the same area, operated by an airline based there.

Despite Brexit, there are still many air connections between the European Economic Area and the UK. If you are at Bristol Airport, it is likely that your flight is covered.

Regulations in the UK since Brexit

If your plane departs from Bristol to the European Economic Area, it is only covered if the operating airline is based in the European Union.

Since Brexit, the UK is no longer covered by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. However, there is a UK law equivalent, known as UK261 regulation.

Therefore, if your flight departs from Bristol, regardless of the destination, this regulation applies. It also applies to flights from Jersey and Guernsey.

What rights do (EC) No 261/2004 and UK261 regulations guarantee?

In principle, both European and UK regulations provide the same rights to air passengers.

These rights come with the same obligations for airlines.

The right to be transported to your destination

With a plane ticket, you agree to have valid documents and to be on time for boarding. If you meet these conditions, the airline must transport you to your destination.

In case of disruption, this obligation remains. If your flight is cancelled or overbooked, they must offer you an alternative flight.

If no rerouting solution suits you, you can cancel your flight and get a refund. This is also possible if your flight is delayed by more than five hours.

Expenses covered in case of flight disruption

If your flight is significantly delayed, it may incur additional costs (meals, accommodation).

The airline must cover these costs.

Compensation under conditions

Finally, if your flight is delayed, cancelled, or overbooked, you may be entitled to compensation, subject to conditions.

Both European and UK laws provide a fixed compensation scale for flight disruptions. Depending on the delay duration, flight distance, and type of disruption, the amount varies between €125 and €600.

This is subject to conditions and you must make a claim.

Has your flight been disrupted? Delayed can assist with your compensation claim

Have you experienced a flight disruption at Bristol Airport? If you were coming from the European Economic Area, Delayed can assist you with your claim.

In case of delay, flight cancellation, or overbooking, you are eligible.