Qantas Perth–Paris Delayed — EU261 on the Return from CDG
Qantas operates Perth–Paris (suspended non-stop in March 2026, now via Singapore). Outbound from Perth: not covered. Return from CDG: EU261 applies — €600 (≈A$1,000) per passenger for 3+ hour arrival delay. France: 5-year limitation, DGAC enforcement.
CDG strike risk
Paris CDG is one of Europe's most strike-prone hubs (ATC and airport ground handling). ATC strikes are extraordinary circumstances; ground-handler strikes are not. Always document the actual cause Qantas cites in any rejection.
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Route Overview — PER–CDG via Singapore
Qantas operated PER–CDG non-stop briefly in 2024–2025, but suspended the non-stop in March 2026 due to Middle East airspace closures. The current routing is via Singapore (one stop on a single Qantas ticket). Distance PER–CDG: approximately 14,000 km. The CDG-departing return triggers EU261 regardless of routing.
Eligibility Table
| Flight | Regulation | Amount | Covered? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qantas Perth (PER) → Paris (CDG) outbound | None | — | ❌ |
| Qantas Paris (CDG) → Perth (PER) return | EU261 | €600 (~A$1,000) | ✅ |
| Qantas CDG → Singapore → Perth (single ticket) | EU261 | €600 (~A$1,000) | ✅ |
| Qantas SYD → CDG via Singapore (outbound) | None | — | ❌ |
Compensation — €600 (≈A$1,000)
PER–CDG is approximately 14,000 km — well above the long-haul threshold. €600 per passenger when EU261 triggers. Family of four: €2,400 (≈A$4,000).
Filing Process — DGAC
- Capture actual arrival time at Perth using Flightradar24.
- File with Qantas at qantas.com → Help → Compensation. Cite EU Regulation 261/2004.
- Wait 4–8 weeks for response.
- Escalate to DGAC within 5 years if rejected. DGAC accepts complaints in English; processing can be slow.
Extraordinary Circumstances at CDG
- ATC strikes (France) — extraordinary; Qantas can validly refuse if proven.
- Airport ground-handler strikes — not always extraordinary; depends on whether they're directly the airline's subcontractors.
- Technical fault — not extraordinary (CJEU C-549/07).
- Knock-on delays — not extraordinary unless original cause was external.
A no-win-no-fee service such as ClaimWinger handles French escalation from Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does EU261 apply to Qantas Perth–Paris?
Outbound PER → CDG: no — Australian airport on a non-EU/UK carrier. Return CDG → PER: yes — France is an EU member state and EU261 applies to all carriers leaving EU airports. €600 (≈A$1,000) per passenger for 3+ hour arrival delay or cancellation with under 14 days' notice.
Does Qantas still fly Perth–Paris non-stop?
The non-stop service was suspended in March 2026 due to closure of Middle East airspace. Qantas now operates PER–CDG via Singapore. EU261 still applies in full to the CDG-departing return: a single CDG–SIN–PER ticket triggers EU261 throughout, with the €600 long-haul tier applying regardless of routing.
What's the French statute of limitations for EU261?
5 years from the flight date. France applies one of the longer EU statute of limitations (only Germany at 3 years and Spain at 5 are similarly long). The French enforcement body is DGAC (Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile). File promptly even with the longer deadline.
How does ATC strike at CDG affect my claim?
French ATC strikes are common and considered extraordinary circumstances under EU261 — Qantas can refuse compensation if a CDG departure was actually cancelled or delayed because of an ATC strike, provided they took reasonable measures. However, Qantas must prove ATC was the actual cause; if other Air France or Lufthansa flights left CDG on time during the same period, the ATC defence weakens.
How do I file from Australia?
First file with Qantas at qantas.com → Help → Compensation. Cite EU Regulation 261/2004 and the French departure. If rejected, escalate to DGAC. Or use a no-win-no-fee service like ClaimWinger to handle DGAC escalation, which can be challenging from Australia due to language and process.
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