Flight delay or cancellation at Geneva International Airport
Geneva International Airport is Switzerland's second largest airport, after Zurich. It mainly handles regional flights, often within Europe or to nearby destinations such as Turkey and North Africa.
Switzerland is not part of the European Union but is a member of the Schengen Area. Therefore, several rights applicable to the European Community also apply to Switzerland. These rights are applicable at Geneva Airport.
Your rights at Geneva International Airport
At Geneva International Airport, and all Swiss airports, European law applies. Switzerland is part of the Schengen Area, so the freedom of movement is the same as in the European Community.
Switzerland has also ratified Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 on air passenger rights. Therefore, in the event of a delay, flight cancellation, or overbooking, it applies fully at Geneva International Airport.
Which flights are covered by EC 261 regulation?
European regulation (EC) No 261/2004 applies to all flights departing from or arriving in an EU Member State. However, it also applies in non-member states that have ratified certain European treaties, such as Norway, Iceland, and of course, Switzerland.
As a reminder, for all concerned states, Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 sets a regulatory framework in which the airline must compensate you in the event of a delay. This regulation applies:
- to flights departing from Geneva, regardless of the airline's origin
- to flights arriving in Geneva, regardless of the airline's origin.
However, be aware that if you have a stopover in Geneva, the law does not automatically apply. A ruling on 24 February 2022 set a precedent. It states that a flight with a stopover in the European Community is not covered by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 unless the departure or arrival point is a European airport. Therefore, if you fly from London to Istanbul with a stopover in Geneva, you are not covered.
However, this remains a particular case, as most flights departing from and arriving in Geneva are European flights.
Strike at Geneva International Airport
Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 provides for a fixed compensation in the event of a delay, cancellation, or denied boarding. However, this compensation is subject to conditions: the airline must be proven responsible.
This is not always the case. In the event of a strike, for example, the airline may not be the only party responsible. An airport involves various professions with different employers. From airport staff, baggage handlers (often employed by subcontractors), security agents, customs officers, to air traffic controllers (who are civil servants), the list is extensive. All these roles are essential. A strike by any one of them can disrupt traffic.
The airline is only responsible if the cancellation or delay is due to a strike by its own staff.
Compensation for a delay at Geneva International Airport
If the airline is indeed responsible, how much compensation is due for a delay?
Compensation is not always owed. It depends on the delay time upon arrival. Additionally, the amount varies according to the distance travelled by the plane:
- €250 for flights under 1,500 km with a delay of 2 hours or more
- €400 for non-EU flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km or EU flights over 1,500 km with a delay of 3 hours or more
- €600 for non-EU flights over 3,500 km with a delay of 4 hours or more
Claiming compensation for a cancelled flight at Geneva International Airport
As with delays, for cancellations, the airline must be responsible. You will not always be entitled to compensation. However, if you are, you will have more rights than for a delay.
A cancellation means the airline arranges another flight with a new number. If it is responsible, compensation is automatic. It may be reduced if you are rerouted within a reasonable time frame.
Compensation ranges from:
- €250 to €125 for flights under 1,500 km with less than 2 hours delay
- €400 to €200 for EU flights over 1,500 km or non-EU flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km with less than 3 hours delay
- €600 to €300 for non-EU flights over 3,500 km with less than 4 hours delay.
Overbooking at Geneva International Airport
Unlike a cancellation or delay, in the case of overbooking, the airline's responsibility is clear. You are therefore entitled to compensation regardless of the circumstances.
This compensation follows the same scale as for cancellations.
What to do in case of a flight issue at Geneva International Airport?
In the event of a flight issue, the airline is your main point of contact.
Of course, if the delay or cancellation is due to exceptional circumstances (weather conditions, natural disasters, geopolitical issues), the airline is not responsible. Therefore, it will not owe you compensation.
However, it is always obliged to take care of you until you reach your destination. If rerouting is not possible or the conditions are not suitable for you, you can cancel your flight and receive a full refund.
For reference, the FOCA (Federal Office of Civil Aviation) reminds you of your rights. Although this text is from the Swiss administration, it is based on European law and is therefore applicable throughout the European Community.
Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 also provides for:
- meals and drinks according to the waiting time
- two phone calls
- one night's hotel accommodation with transport to the hotel
- rerouting in case of cancellation or, failing that, a full or partial refund.
Delayed assists you in case of flight disruption at Geneva International Airport
Are you travelling to or from Geneva? Has your flight been delayed, cancelled, or overbooked? You may be entitled to fixed compensation.
As a company specialising in air passenger rights, Delayed supports and helps you enforce your rights.