Last-Minute Flight Cancellation: Your Rights

Has an Air Serbia last-minute flight cancellation disturbed your plans recently?

Flight cancellations can cause chaos to your schedule, especially if you have other flights or travel plans. However, there is some good news. According to Air Serbia’s flight cancellation policy and the EU regulations, you have certain rights and protections. These regulations have been in place for a while now, and if Air Serbia cancels your flight, they are obliged to offer you assistance and a new flight to your destination (or a full refund).

In some situations, you are also entitled to compensation.

Check your compensation online.

1. Air Serbia Flight Cancellation: Last-Minute Flight Cancellation

You should know that you have specific rights when facing a last-minute flight cancellation of an Air Serbia flight.

1. If the flight cancellation results in a prolonged wait at the airport, you are entitled to care rights. For example, if the delay exceeds 3 hours, you should be provided with a meal voucher. If the delay necessitates an overnight stay, you should be granted free hotel accommodation and transfers.
2. If you decide not to accept the replacement flight offered, you are entitled to a full refund from Air Serbia. You have the option to receive this refund either transferred to your bank account or as an Air Serbia voucher.
3. Assuming it’s a last-minute flight cancellation (i.e., flight cancelled within 2 weeks of the original departure date), and if it’s due to Air Serbia’s fault, you can claim flight cancellation compensation from Air Serbia.

If your Air Serbia flight is cancelled and you miss a connecting flight, you could be entitled to compensation. Please see our Air Serbia missed connection compensation guide for more information.

Just as with flight delays, the same rules apply. You need to determine how much later you arrive at your destination compared to the original schedule.

These compensation rules apply to all Air Serbia flights to and 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.

2. What to Do if Your Flight Is Cancelled Last-Minute?

Are you experiencing a last-minute flight cancellation?

What to do if your Air Serbia flight is cancelled last minute?

The steps you should take when faced with a sudden flight cancellation largely depend on your current situation – whether you’re at the airport or still at home or a hotel.

2.1 If You Are Still at Home or Hotel

If you’re at home or a hotel when you get notified about the cancellation of your flight, it’s safer to stay put until you get further instructions. You should immediately get in touch with Air Serbia’s customer service to gain clarity about what to do next.

As previously stated, Air Serbia will offer support and guide you on the various alternative options you have – perhaps leaving on the same day or the day after, depending on the flights available. Remember, you also have the option to request a flight from a different airline.

If the flight is cancelled due to the airline’s fault, you are entitled to flight cancellation compensation from the airline.

2.2 If You Are Already at the Airport

If your flight gets cancelled when you arrive at the airport, do not go through airport security just yet. A new flight will be arranged, so you’ll need to go through check-in again, get a new boarding pass, and if you have checked baggage, check it in once more. If you’re already past these security checks, make an effort to return to the public area of the airport.

Connecting with Air Serbia’s on-ground staff at the airport is crucial to understand the way forward. They will extend their assistance to you.

Remember you have a right to care while you wait for the new flight.

3. Air Serbia Flight Cancellation Compensation

The EU has defined clear rules for flight compensation.

If your flight is cancelled less than 14 days prior to its scheduled departure date, it is considered a last-minute flight cancellation, and you may be entitled to compensation.

Your flight is cancelled 7 – 14 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• If you take an alternative flight offered by Air Serbia, that leaves no later than 2 hours before the original departure time and gets you to your destination with a delay of less than 4 hours compared to the original arrival time, you are not eligible for compensation.
• Under other circumstances, you are eligible for compensation.

Your flight is cancelled less than 7 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• If you go with a new flight provided by Air Serbia, which leaves no 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 case, you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other scenarios, you can claim compensation.

Conditions under which you can claim compensation include:

• Flight cancelled due to Air Serbia’s fault;
• Flight is to/from/within Europe;
• Flight called off last minute (less than 14 days prior to departure).

Read more: Air Serbia Flight Cancellation Compensation

4. Air Serbia Flight Cancellation Refund

In the circumstance where Air Serbia cancels your flight, you have the entitlement to select between agreeing to an alternative flight schedule or a full refund for the cancellation. If you opt for a refund, the amount can be credited back to your bank account or you can request for it to be issued as an Air Serbia voucher.

The choice depends on what best meets your individual travel requirements.

Refunds from Air Serbia are typically processed within a 7-day period.

Remember, the right to a refund and the entitlement to compensation are separate rights under EU air passenger rights law. Even if you claim a refund, you may still be eligible for compensation, depending on the specifics of your flight cancellation, as highlighted above.

Read more: Is Your Air Serbia Refund Delayed? Here’s What You Can Do

4.1 What If You Cancel a Flight?

In cases where the passenger makes the decision to cancel a flight, the conditions for a refund are not uniform. Generally, the refund policies of Air Serbia revolve around the nature of the ticket purchased.

Typically, tickets that are fully flexible are refundable, but budget tickets with less flexibility may not qualify for refunds. It is always a wise idea to check the specific terms of your ticket or to contact Air Serbia’s customer service for additional information.

If you have availed travel insurance that covers flight cancellations, this could potentially be an avenue to claim a refund.

5. How to Claim Air Serbia Flight Cancellation Compensation and Cancellation Refund?

If your aim is to get a refund for your ticket, you can do so by visiting your booking in the “My Trips” section. The refund will be credited using the same form of payment that was used to make your booking.

What about compensation due to flight cancellation?

If your flight gets cancelled, you may be eligible for compensation from Air Serbia. The crucial step in this process is to submit a claim. Failure to do so will result in no compensation. To initiate your claim, you can reach out to Air Serbia’s customer service.

Remember, claiming compensation is your right. You are not obligated to accept travel vouchers instead. According to EC Regulation 261, compensation for flight disruptions in the EU must be directly credited to your bank account. The compensation amount you may be entitled to is fixed and can range from 250 to 600 euros.

Another option at your disposal is to seek the help of a legal expert.

Opting for this route implies that your claim will be managed by a flight compensation company. They will file the claim on your behalf and monitor the process until its conclusion. Our partners offer such services.

Read more: How to Claim Air Serbia Compensation?

Have you experienced a last-minute flight cancellation? Do you still have questions about Air Serbia compensation policies? Ask in the comments.