Istanbul-Atatürk Airport
Istanbul-Atatürk Airport is located 28 km from the city of Istanbul and welcomes over 68 million travellers each year seeking exotic experiences and discoveries.
Istanbul-Atatürk Airport: an essential hub of the country
A true cultural space, the airport allowed you to enjoy your wait before boarding by discovering Istanbul's cultural riches. The numerous restaurants within the establishment enabled food-loving travellers to sample the country's typical dishes. The airport had 2 terminals serving over 200 destinations worldwide. With numerous services for all travellers, whether it be Wi-Fi, shops, or VIP lounges, the airport was a must-visit for all passengers. Closed in 2019, the airport is now at the centre of a cultural project aimed at transforming it into a large exhibition space with numerous entertainment areas.
What are your rights at Istanbul-Atatürk Airport?
Air travel can involve several disruptions that may affect your flight. These can include a delay, a cancellation, or overbooking. EC Regulation 261 allows you to claim compensation from the airline if any of these disruptions occur on your flight.
The amount of compensation
If during your flight you experienced a delay, a cancellation, or overbooking, you can submit a compensation claim as provided by EC Regulation 261. This regulation protects and compensates passengers affected by a disruption. The amount of compensation varies depending on the duration and distance of the journey.
Below are the compensation amounts you may be entitled to.
- For a flight of 1,500 km or less: you may be entitled to compensation of €125 for delays under 2 hours or €250 for delays of 2 hours or more.
- For an intra-European Union flight over 1,500 km: you may be entitled to €200 compensation for delays under 2 hours or €400 for delays of 3 hours or more.
- For a flight outside the European Union between 1,500 and 3,500 km: you may be entitled to €200 compensation for delays under 2 hours or €400 for delays of 3 hours or more.
- For a flight outside the European Union over 3,500 km: you may be entitled to €300 compensation for delays under 2 hours or €600 for delays over 4 hours.
Which flights are covered by the European regulation?
EC Regulation 261 was established by the European Union to protect travellers. If you have experienced a delay, a cancellation, or overbooking, you can claim compensation. There are two situations where EC Regulation 261 automatically applies.
- Travellers whose arrival airport is located in the European Union can claim compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight, regardless of the airline's nationality or destination.
- Travellers coming from a non-European Union country, but whose final destination and airline are located in the European Union.
What to do in case of strikes at Istanbul-Atatürk Airport?
Airline staff strikes causing a delay or cancellation of your flight are situations that entitle you to compensation. Note, airport staff strikes are not covered by EC Regulation 261 and do not entitle you to compensation.
Compensation for a flight delay at Istanbul-Atatürk Airport
If you have experienced a flight delay, EC Regulation 261 allows you to submit a compensation claim to the airline. However, to receive your compensation, the delay must be more than 2 hours at an airport within the European Union to qualify for financial compensation.
EC Regulation 261 only applies in cases where the delay is due to specific conditions such as a technical fault or operational issue for which the airline is responsible.
Extraordinary circumstances do not entitle you to compensation.
Claim compensation for a cancelled flight at Istanbul-Atatürk Airport
If your flight is cancelled and you cannot board, you can submit a compensation claim. Indeed, EC Regulation 261 allows you to obtain compensation from your airline if there has been a cancellation. However, the cancellation must have occurred less than 14 days before departure. The regulation considers that passengers did not have enough time to find an alternative solution to the cancellation of their flight.
If your flight is cancelled, the airline must offer you an alternative flight or provide a full refund of your ticket. If you board the alternative flight, your flat-rate compensation is calculated based on the flight distance and the estimated delay upon arrival. The compensation amount can be up to €600 per traveller.
Overbooked flight at Istanbul-Atatürk Airport
Overbooking or overselling means that more tickets have been sold than there are seats available on the plane. If you find yourself in this situation where you cannot take your flight due to overbooking, you can submit a compensation claim to the airline.
Note, to be eligible for compensation, you must not be among the volunteers who agree not to board.
- The amount of compensation depends on the length of the journey. For a flight up to 1500 km, you may be entitled to a maximum of €250.
- For a flight between 1500 and 3500 km, you may be entitled to a maximum compensation of €400.
- For an EU flight over 3500 km, the maximum compensation is €400 and €600 for a journey between the European Union and a non-EU country.
What to do in case of a problem during a flight at Istanbul-Atatürk Airport?
If your flight has experienced a disruption such as a delay, a cancellation, or overbooking, you can submit a compensation claim to the airline. Remember to keep the following documents for your compensation claim.
- Booking documents: ticket reservation, e-ticket, purchase invoice for the flight ticket
- Boarding pass (email, SMS, or paper)
- Receipts and tickets related to your purchases while waiting at the airport
- Request a delay or cancellation certificate from the airline
Delayed assists you in case of flight disruption at Istanbul-Atatürk Airport
During air travel, several disruptions can occur and affect the quality of your journey. These can include a delay, a cancellation, or overbooking. EC Regulation 261 allows you to claim compensation from the airline. Delayed takes care of all the administrative procedures for your compensation on your behalf. You only need to prepare for your next flight while waiting to receive your compensation.