Air India
AI / AIC · IN
Air India Flight Delay & Cancellation Compensation
Air India is India's flag carrier, now owned by the Tata Group, operating from dual hubs at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi (DEL) and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai (BOM). A member of the Star Alliance, Air India serves over 100 destinations worldwide and carries approximately 30 million passengers per year. The airline operates a fleet that includes Airbus A320s, A350s, and Boeing 777s and 787 Dreamliners, with a major fleet renewal programme underway.
EC261 Covers Only Air India's EU Departures
Air India is a non-EU carrier registered in India. EC261/2004 applies only to Air India flights departing from EU/EEA airports - for example, London Heathrow (LHR) to Delhi (DEL) or Paris CDG to Mumbai (BOM). Flights from Indian airports (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru) to EU destinations are not covered by EC261. This is a frequent source of confusion for passengers: only the EU departure leg is protected, regardless of the destination.
€250 - €600
EC261 compensation depends on flight distance. Air India's European routes to Delhi, Mumbai, and other Indian cities are long-haul flights exceeding 3,500 km, qualifying for the maximum €600 per passenger. This amount is the same regardless of whether you flew Economy, Premium Economy, or Business Class.
- London Heathrow (LHR) → Delhi (DEL): €600
- Paris CDG (CDG) → Mumbai (BOM): €600
- Frankfurt (FRA) → Delhi (DEL): €600
- Milan Malpensa (MXP) → Delhi (DEL): €600
- Vienna (VIE) → Delhi (DEL): €600
- Delhi (DEL) → Any EU airport: Not covered
- Mumbai (BOM) → Any EU airport: Not covered
Air India operates several long-haul routes between European cities and India. If your Air India flight departed from an EU or EEA airport and was delayed by more than 3 hours on arrival, cancelled without at least 14 days' notice, or you were denied boarding due to overbooking, you may be entitled to compensation of up to €600 per passenger under EC261/2004.
Not every disruption qualifies for compensation. Understanding the most common causes can help you assess whether your delay was within the airline's control.
Common Causes
Why Air India Flights Get Disrupted
- Fog and poor visibility at Delhi airport during winter months (November–February) causing departure delays and diversions
- Technical issues during the ongoing fleet transition and renewal programme under Tata ownership
- Monsoon weather across the Indian subcontinent from June to September affecting operations
- Crew scheduling disruptions on long-haul rotations between India and Europe
- Air traffic congestion at major European hub airports during peak travel periods
How to Claim Compensation from Air India Directly
Air India provides a contact page on its website for customer complaints and claims. Under Tata Group ownership, Air India has been improving its customer service, but EC261 claims processing may still be inconsistent. When filing your claim, be very specific: reference EU Regulation 261/2004 by name, confirm that your flight departed from an EU airport, include your booking PNR, flight number, departure date, and provide evidence of the delay or cancellation (screenshots of flight status, airline communications, etc.).
DIY Process
Steps to Claim from Air India
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1
Gather your booking confirmation, boarding pass, e-ticket, and any disruption notifications from Air India
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2
Submit your claim through Air India's contact page, explicitly citing EC261/2004 and your EU departure airport
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3
State the specific compensation amount owed (€600 for most EU–India routes) and provide the legal basis
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4
Allow up to 30 days for Air India to respond - send a formal written follow-up if no reply is received
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5
If Air India rejects or ignores your claim, escalate to the national enforcement body in your EU departure country (e.g., LBA for Frankfurt, CAA for UK departures under UK261)
Air India typically responds to claims within 30 days, though response times can vary. Some passengers have reported receiving vague or non-committal replies. If your claim is not properly addressed, send a formal follow-up letter restating your EC261 rights and setting a deadline for resolution. If Air India fails to pay, escalate to the national enforcement body in your EU departure country or consider pursuing the claim through small claims proceedings.
Air India flight disrupted?
Check your eligibility and claim up to €600 in compensation.
Passenger
J. SMITH
Flight
BA 2761
LHR
London
BCN
Barcelona
STATUS
3H DELAYPassenger
M. JOHNSON
Flight
KL 1009
AMS
Amsterdam
FCO
Rome
STATUS
CANCELLEDFrequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to the most common questions about claiming EC261 compensation.
My Air India flight from Delhi to London was delayed by 5 hours. Can I claim?
No. EC261/2004 only covers flights departing from EU/EEA airports (or UK airports under UK261). Your Air India flight from Delhi to London departed from a non-EU airport and is not covered by the regulation. Only the return leg - London to Delhi - would qualify for EC261 compensation if disrupted. UK departures are covered under the separate UK261 regulation with identical compensation amounts.
Has Air India's service improved under Tata Group ownership?
Air India was acquired by the Tata Group in January 2022 and has been undergoing significant operational improvements, including a massive fleet renewal order for new Airbus and Boeing aircraft. While service standards are improving, your EC261 rights are independent of service quality. Whether you experience premium or basic service, the compensation entitlements under EC261 remain identical and are based solely on flight distance and the nature of the disruption.
Can I claim for a connecting flight disruption via Delhi?
If you had a through booking with Air India from an EU airport to a destination beyond Delhi (for example, Frankfurt → Delhi → Bengaluru), and your final arrival was delayed by more than 3 hours, you can claim compensation based on the total journey distance. The claim is valid because your journey originated from an EU airport. However, if you had separate tickets for each leg, only the EU departure segment is covered by EC261.
Contact for Claims
Online Claim Form
www.airindia.comDGCA / AirSewa Portal
नागर विमानन महानिदेशालय (DGCA)
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Check Your Compensation
Enter your flight details to see if you qualify for up to €600 per person.