TAP Portugal is the flag carrier airline of Portugal, operating flights to various destinations across Europe, Africa, North America, and South America. While the airline strives to provide its passengers with seamless travel experiences, flight cancellations and delays can occur due to a variety of reasons, including technical issues, weather conditions, and strikes. These disruptions can cause significant inconvenience to passengers, and in such cases, TAP Portugal Airlines is required to compensate passengers according to European Union (EU) regulations.

EU Regulation 261/2004, also known as the Flight Compensation Regulation, provides passengers with certain rights in the event of flight cancellations, delays, or denied boarding. The regulation applies to all flights departing from an EU airport, as well as flights arriving in the EU from a non-EU country operated by an EU airline. Therefore, TAP Portugal is required to comply with the regulation and provide compensation to passengers when necessary.

Compensation for Flight Cancellations

When a flight is canceled, passengers have the right to either be re-routed to their destination or receive a refund of the ticket cost. In addition to these rights, passengers may also be entitled to compensation, depending on the circumstances of the cancellation.

Under EU regulations, passengers are entitled to compensation for flight cancellations unless the cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the airline. Such circumstances may include natural disasters, security risks, or air traffic control restrictions. If the cancellation was not caused by an extraordinary circumstance, passengers may be entitled to compensation of up to €600.

Compensation for Flight Delays

Passengers are also entitled to compensation for flight delays, provided that the delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances. The amount of compensation depends on the length of the delay and the distance of the flight.

For flights of up to 1,500 km, passengers are entitled to €250 for delays of three hours or more. For flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km, passengers are entitled to €400 for delays of three hours or more. For flights over 3,500 km, passengers are entitled to €600 for delays of four hours or more.

However, if the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances, passengers are not entitled to compensation. Extraordinary circumstances are defined as situations that are beyond the control of the airline, such as extreme weather conditions, air traffic control restrictions, or security risks.

Claiming Compensation from TAP Portugal

Passengers who believe they are entitled to compensation from TAP Portugal for flight cancellations or delays should submit a claim to the airline. The claim should include the passenger’s name, flight details, and a description of the circumstances leading to the cancellation or delay.

TAP Portugal is required to respond to the claim within a reasonable timeframe and provide either the compensation or a justification for why compensation is not due. If the airline refuses to provide compensation and the passenger believes they are still entitled to it, they may escalate the claim to the National Enforcement Body (NEB) in their country of departure or arrival.

It’s worth noting that passengers have up to three years from the date of the flight to submit a claim for compensation. However, it’s recommended to submit the claim as soon as possible to ensure the best chance of success.

Conclusion

Flight cancellations and delays can cause significant inconvenience to passengers, but EU regulations provide certain rights to passengers in such situations. TAP to Portugal flight is required to compensate passengers for flight cancellations and delays, provided that the circumstances were not caused by extraordinary circumstances.

Read more : How Do I Cancel a TAP Air Portugal Flight

Passengers who believe they are entitled to compensation should submit a claim to the airline and, if necessary, escalate the claim to the NEB. It’s recommended to submit the claim as soon as possible to ensure the best chance of success.