EgyptAir EU261 Compensation: How to Claim

Does EU261 apply to EgyptAir?

EU261 applies to EgyptAir on all flights departing from EU airports. EgyptAir (MS) is an Egyptian state carrier — not an EU-registered airline. EU261 covers all carriers departing from EU airports AND all EU-registered carriers worldwide. So: Paris CDG → Cairo on EgyptAir → EU261 applies (EU departure). Cairo → Paris on EgyptAir → EU261 does NOT apply (Egyptian carrier, non-EU departure). Air France (EU carrier) covers both directions on routes it operates.

How much compensation for an EgyptAir delay from Europe?

The Paris–Cairo route is approximately 3,200 km (medium-haul, €400), Frankfurt–Cairo ~3,000 km (€400), Rome–Cairo ~2,100 km (€400), Amsterdam–Cairo ~3,500 km (borderline medium/long — check exact figure; ~€400), London–Cairo ~3,500 km (£350 UK261). For a 3+ hour arrival delay or cancellation within 14 days, you are entitled to the applicable tier of compensation.

EgyptAir rejected my EU261 claim — what should I do?

EgyptAir frequently rejects EU261 claims citing operational reasons or extraordinary circumstances. If rejected: (1) Verify the delay reason — technical faults are NOT extraordinary under CJEU Wallentin-Hermann. (2) Escalate to the national enforcement body in the departure country: DGAC/Médiateur du Tourisme in France, LBA/SÖP in Germany, ENAC in Italy, CAA in UK, ILT in Netherlands, DGTA in Belgium. (3) Enforcement bodies can issue binding decisions against EgyptAir for EU-departure violations.

My EgyptAir flight connected through Cairo — does EU261 cover the whole journey?

It depends on the booking. If you booked Paris → Cairo → Luxor on a single EgyptAir ticket and arrived 3+ hours late at Luxor, EU261 compensation is calculated on the total distance Paris–Luxor (approximately 3,500 km). If Cairo → Luxor was a separate ticket purchased independently, EU261 covers Paris → Cairo only (approximately 3,200 km), not the Cairo → Luxor leg (Egyptian carrier, Egyptian departure).

Belgium has a 1-year deadline for EgyptAir claims — what does this mean?

Belgium applies only a 1-year limitation period for EU261 claims — the shortest in Europe. If you had a Brussels BRU → Cairo EgyptAir delay more than 1 year ago, your claim may be time-barred in Belgium. This applies to all airlines at Brussels Zaventem, including EgyptAir. Act immediately if your disruption was within the last 12 months. The Belgian enforcement body is the Direction Générale Transport Aérien (DGTA).