Airline, air traffic control or airport strike: are you owed compensation?
If a strike cancels or delays your flight, what you're owed depends on who is striking. Assistance at the airport and the choice between a refund and another flight are always yours; cash compensation isn't always.
General information, not legal advice. What you’re entitled to depends on your trip, the country, the carrier and the rules in force. If your case is complicated, check with the relevant authority or a professional. More in the terms of use.
Who is on strike?
Regulation 261/2004 lists strikes among extraordinary circumstances, but the EU Court of Justice has said which ones count:
- The airline's own staff (pilots, cabin crew…), even if the strike is legal, called by a union and announced in advance: it isn't an extraordinary circumstance, and you're owed compensation as for any cancellation or delay (case C-28/20, from 2021).
- A «wildcat strike» by the airline's staff, with mass sick leave after a company announcement: not an extraordinary circumstance either (case C-195/17, from 2018).
- Air traffic controllers or airport staff: the Court treats it as an extraordinary circumstance, because it's outside the airline's control. Then you're not owed compensation, but you are owed everything else.
What you're always owed
Whoever is striking, if your flight is canceled you choose between a refund and another flight, and while you wait you're owed meals, two calls or emails, and a hotel with transfer if you have to stay the night. Extraordinary circumstances only release the airline from compensation, not from this. If you pay yourself, keep the receipts.
How much you may be owed
If the strike is by the airline's staff, compensation is the same as for any cancellation or delay: €250, €400 or €600 per passenger depending on distance, if your flight is canceled with less than 14 days' notice or you reach your destination 3 hours or more late.
If you're told in good time
If the airline tells you about the cancellation 14 days or more in advance, there's no compensation, whoever is striking. You still choose between a refund and another flight.
Where to claim
First with the airline, in writing. If it says the strike is an extraordinary circumstance, it has to prove it: ask who was striking. If the flight left from Spain and they don't reply within 1 month or you're not satisfied, you can claim free of charge with AESA.
If you’d rather someone handled it for you
Do you want to file the claim?
Check my case with Compensair →Sponsored · no extra cost to you · They check your specific case, extraordinary circumstances included.
You may also need
Official sources
- Regulation (EC) 261/2004, current textEUR-Lex (Official Journal of the EU) · Checked on 16 October 2026
- Air passenger rightsYour Europe (European Commission) · Checked on 8 October 2026
- Strike by the airline’s own staff: Airhelp v SAS judgment (C-28/20)Court of Justice of the EU (CURIA) · Checked on 16 October 2026
- Wildcat strike: Krüsemann v TUIfly judgment (C-195/17)Court of Justice of the EU (CURIA) · Checked on 16 October 2026
- Claiming with AESA (flights from 02/06/2023)Spanish Aviation Safety Agency (AESA) · Checked on 4 October 2026
Last reviewed: 16 October 2026