Air Serbia Flight Cancellation Compensation

Air Serbia flight cancellation refund.

Air Serbia flight cancellation compensation. What applies to you? Which can you get? When are you entitled to compensation? Can you get both — refund and compensation? In this article, we are going to answer to these questions. There are a number of reasons why airlines cancel their flights. All you need to know is, if your flight is cancelled due to the airline’s fault, you may be entitled to both – a refund from Air Serbia and compensation up to €600.

It applies to most flights to and from the EU, and the UK.

There are two ways you can claim flight cancellation compensation.

Check your compensation online.

1. Air Serbia Flight Cancellation Compensation: EU Regulations

What happens if your Air Serbia flight is cancelled?

What are your rights in the event of flight cancellation? Can you get a new flight? What about a full refund? In which situations you are entitled to flight cancellation compensation from the airline?

According to EU law, flight cancellation procedures are very specific.

If you are notified of the cancellation 7 – 14 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by your airline, which departs not more than 2 hours before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 4 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

If you are notified of the cancellation less than 7 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by your airline, which departs not more than 1 hour before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 2 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

Could you be entitled to Air Serbia flight cancellation compensation? 

Yes, if your Air Serbia flight meets the following conditions:

• Cancellation must be due to the fault of the airline;
• It must be a last-minute flight cancellation (0-14 days before departure);
• Flight must be to/from Europe.

By Europe and EU here on this page (and on this website in general) we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

1.1 Extraordinary Circumstances

Sometimes reasons for flight cancellations are out of the airline’s control.

Situations like these are called ‘extraordinary circumstances’. In such cases, you aren’t entitled to flight cancellation compensation no matter how last-minute is the cancellation. It is because airlines are not responsible for flights cancelled due to events that are out of their control. 

What are extraordinary circumstances? These are events the airline has no control over, such as bad weather, some nationwide strikes (not related to the airline), terrorism threat, political unrest, civil unrest, security issues at the airport, terrorism threat and other similar situations. If your Air Serbia flight is cancelled due to any of these events, you can’t get compensation from Air Serbia. 

Also — always make sure to double check what you’re told.

Because not always airlines are telling you the truth. 

If you are claiming compensation yourself, you might experience wrongly denied compensation claim. Airlines often refuse compensation even if it is due. It is done to avoid financial loss. So if you think that your compensation claim is wrongly denied, do not give up. Ask for proof and be persistent.

Or, to avoid the hassle, hand your case to a compensation claim company for closer investigation. Our partners offer such service.

1.2 Right to Care

Your Air Serbia flight is cancelled last-minute.

Now you have to wait at the airport for a new flight.

If the waiting time is 3 or more hours, you have a right to receive care from the airline. This means that you are entitled to receive certain free services from the airline. 

Air Serbia must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes. If your new flight is leaving only on the next day, a free hotel stay (including free transfer) must be offered.

It doesn’t affect your chances of getting compensation.

1.3 Air Serbia Flight Cancellation Refund, Air Serbia Refund Policy

And again, the rules are very specific.

Besides, they aren’t affected by Air Serbia internal policies (Air Serbia refund policy).

According to European regulations, if your Air Serbia flight is cancelled (no matter the reason), you are entitled to either a new free flight or a full refund. A refund has to be paid to your bank account within 7 days. You don’t have to accept any Air Serbia vouchers.

Here’s an excerpt from the Regulation (EC) No 261/2004:

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Article 5

Cancellation

In case of cancellation of a flight, the passengers concerned shall: (a) be offered assistance by the operating air carrier in accordance with Article 8.

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Article 8

Right to reimbursement or re-routing

Where reference is made to this Article, passengers shall be offered the choice between: (a) – reimbursement within seven days (b) re-routing, under comparable transport conditions, to their final destination at the earliest opportunity.

It doesn’t cover cases when you cancel your Air Serbia flight. 

2. How to Claim Air Serbia Compensation?

There are two ways how you can claim Air Serbia flight cancellation compensation.

One of them is more time consuming, the other – easier.

One of the options is to contact Air Serbia directly. The airline can be reached via email listed on their website. Alternatively, you can call Air Serbia customer centre or fill in the contact/complaint form on their website. Make sure you provide all the information about your flight, including the reason for cancellation. The more information, the better for you. Keep in mind that that this process may take a few months and be prepared for negotiations with the airline. Not always airlines cooperate with affected passengers when it comes to flight compensation.

You can also take the easiest path — legal representation.

Register your Air Serbia compensation claim, by filling in and signing one form. The rest is done by a flight compensation company. You don’t have to contact the airline. It is done on your behalf. 

Our partners offer such services.

Read more:

• How to Claim Air Serbia Compensation?
• Your Air Serbia Refund Is Taking Forever. What Can You Do About It?
• Air Serbia Missed Connection Compensation

2.1 How Long Does It Take?

It depends on the airline.

It might take 2-3 months, and it might take more.

Often airlines ignore compensation claims or wrongly refuse them. If you are facing these issues, you might need to take extra steps, like working with a national enforcement body or taking your case to court. All of it takes time. It might add a couple of months to the whole process.

Most people, however, get their money after a few months. 

3. How Much Can You Claim?

The compensation amount in the EU/UK is up to €600 per person.

Here is how you can calculate your Air Serbia compensation:

When your destination is within the EU/UK:

When your destination is outside the EU/UK:

There’s one exception. When the flight distance is 3500+ kilometres and you reach your destination 3 to 4 hours later than planned, you are entitled only to 50% of the compensation amount (that means €300, not €600).

3.1 Air Serbia Voucher Refund or Cash?

What if you are offered a voucher instead of compensation?

If you are offered an Air Serbia voucher instead of compensation, you don’t have to accept it. Airline compensations and refunds in Europe have to be paid in cash or by bank transfer. So, ask Air Serbia to make a bank transfer instead of voucher compensation/refund. 

4. What Happens If a Flight Is Cancelled?

What to do if your Air Serbia flight is cancelled?

First of all, wait for the email from Air Serbia. 

This email will include all the necessary information about replacement flight options and flight cancellation refund. If you are already at the airport, and it’s a last-minute cancellation, keep following your Air Serbia flight information and wait for the announcement from the airline. Do not go through airport security — stay at the public access area of the airport. 

In most cases, you’ll be given a choice between a new flight and full refund. Refunds are usually made within 7 days.

If your Air Serbia flight is cancelled last-minute due to the airline’s fault, you might be entitled to flight cancellation compensation.

What is considered last minute? Not more than 2 weeks before departure date.

Do you need to be on time for another flight? If it’s an Air Serbia connecting flight, don’t worry. If you miss your connection because your previous flight was delayed or cancelled, Air Serbia will book you on another flight free of charge. 

But if it’s a self transfer (separately booked flights), it’s your responsibility. You will need to book a new flight. 

Air Serbia Flight Cancellation Compensation and Refund: FAQ

Air Serbia Refund

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists

Other Situations

What is your experience? Have you ever received Air Serbia flight cancellation compensation? Do you still have questions about Air Serbia compensation claim procedures and policies? Ask in the comments.