Middle East Flight Disruptions: What Are Your Rights?
Flights to and from the Middle East are being cancelled due to the situation in Iran. Here's what EU air passenger rights law says about your compensation, refunds, and care obligations.
9 March 2026
Ongoing developments in the Middle East — including the security situation in Iran — have caused widespread flight cancellations and delays to and from the region. If your flight has been affected, EU law protects you. Here's exactly what you're entitled to and what steps to take.
Who is covered?
These rights apply to flights departing from any EU/EEA airport regardless of airline, and to flights arriving in the EU/EEA operated by an EU-based airline. This includes flights to and from countries such as Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, and other affected Middle East destinations.
Your rights when your flight is cancelled
Under EC Regulation 261/2004, when an airline cancels your flight, you are always entitled to two things — regardless of the reason for cancellation:
Guaranteed rights
What the airline must offer you
- Choice between full refund or rerouting to your destination
- Meals and refreshments while you wait
- Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is needed
- Two phone calls, emails, or faxes
- These rights cannot be waived — even in extraordinary circumstances
Refund or rerouting — your choice
The airline must let you choose between:
- Full refund of your ticket price within 7 days, in the original form of payment (cash or bank transfer). Airlines may offer vouchers, but you are never obliged to accept them.
- Rerouting to your final destination at the earliest opportunity, or at a later date of your choosing.
Vouchers are optional
The airline may offer you a voucher instead of a cash refund. Under EU law, you are not required to accept a voucher — you can always insist on a monetary refund. Only accept a voucher if it genuinely suits you.
Can you get compensation?
This is where it gets nuanced. Under EC261, passengers are normally entitled to fixed compensation of €250–€600 depending on flight distance. However, airlines can be exempted if they can prove the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond their control.
| Likely extraordinary circumstances | Possibly NOT extraordinary |
|---|---|
Airspace closure ordered by authorities |
Airline cancels pre-emptively while airspace is open |
Government-issued flight ban |
Airline operational decision unrelated to security |
Direct security threat to specific route |
Disruption to connecting flight not in conflict zone |
The European Commission has stated that the current security situation in the Middle East may possibly be grounds for an exemption from the obligation to pay compensation. However — and this is important — each case must be assessed individually. The airline bears the burden of proof.
Always file your claim
Even if extraordinary circumstances apply, this only exempts the airline from compensation — not from care, refunds, or rerouting. And whether extraordinary circumstances truly apply to your specific flight is something that must be proven on a case-by-case basis. It costs nothing to claim.
What about package holidays?
If you booked a package holiday (flight + hotel or other services bundled together), you have additional protections under the EU Package Travel Directive:
- Your tour operator must repatriate you at no extra cost
- You are entitled to a full refund if the package cannot be performed
- The organiser must provide equivalent transport home without undue delay
- Package travel rights are stronger than flight-only rights for repatriation
Repatriation flights by governments
Several EU Member States have organised repatriation flights for their citizens from affected Middle East countries. Important to know:
Government repatriation ≠ airline responsibility
If you paid for a government-organised repatriation flight, you cannot claim reimbursement from the airline for that cost. The European Court of Justice has ruled that repatriation flights are not commercial flights and therefore fall outside EC261. However, you can still request a refund for your original cancelled flight.
If your country doesn't have an embassy in the affected area, you can seek consular assistance from any EU Member State's embassy or consulate.
What to do now
Step by step
Protect your rights
-
1
Document everything: keep your booking confirmation, cancellation notification, and any receipts for meals, hotels, or transport
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2
Contact your airline and request your choice of refund or rerouting — do this in writing (email)
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3
Keep receipts for any care expenses (food, drinks, accommodation) the airline failed to provide
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4
File a compensation claim — even if extraordinary circumstances may apply, let the airline prove it
-
5
If the airline refuses or doesn't respond within 6 weeks, escalate to the National Enforcement Body (NEB) in the country of departure
Affected by a cancellation?
Enter your flight details and we'll tell you exactly what you're owed — refund, compensation, or both.
Frequently asked questions
My flight was cancelled but the airline is only offering a voucher. Do I have to accept it?
No. Under EC261, you have the right to a cash refund within 7 days. A voucher is only valid if you voluntarily agree to it. Insist on monetary reimbursement if that's what you prefer.
The airline says it's "extraordinary circumstances" — does that mean I get nothing?
No. Extraordinary circumstances only exempt the airline from paying compensation (€250–€600). You are still entitled to care (meals, hotel), refund, or rerouting. Plus, the airline must prove extraordinary circumstances applied to your specific flight — it's not automatic.
My flight departs from a non-EU airport. Am I covered?
Only if the flight is operated by an EU-based airline. If you're flying from a Middle East airport with a non-EU carrier (e.g., Emirates, Qatar Airways), EC261 does not apply. However, local consumer protection rules may still offer some protections.
Can I claim for a connecting flight that was disrupted?
If you booked a single ticket with connections and the final arrival was delayed by 3+ hours due to the Middle East situation, the airline operating the first leg may be liable. Each case depends on the specific routing and whether the disruption was within the airline's control.
How long do I have to file a claim?
This depends on the country. In the Netherlands it's 2 years, in Germany 3 years, in France and Spain 5 years, and in the UK 6 years. Don't wait — file as soon as possible while evidence is fresh.