Is Return Flight from Africa Covered by EU261? Quick Answer
Only if the operating carrier is EU/UK-registered. KLM, BA, Air France, Lufthansa, Brussels Airlines, TAP, Iberia, Swiss = covered. RAM, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian, EgyptAir, SAA, Air Algérie, Tunisair = NOT covered.
Check if your flight qualifies for compensation
Fill in the form below to find out if you can claim up to EUR 600 for a delayed or cancelled flight. No upfront cost - you pay only if you win.
Filing the Claim
File at the operating carrier's site if EU/UK-registered. Or use ClaimWinger — no win, no fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the return flight from Africa covered by EU261?
Only if the operating carrier is EU/UK-registered. EU Regulation 261/2004 protects passengers when (1) departing the EU/UK on any airline, OR (2) arriving in the EU/UK on an EU/UK-registered airline. Africa → EU/UK on KLM, BA, AF, LH = covered. Africa → EU/UK on RAM, KQ, ET = NOT covered.
Which carriers protect both directions?
EU/UK-registered airlines: KLM (NL), British Airways (UK), Air France (FR), Lufthansa (DE), Brussels Airlines (BE), TAP Air Portugal (PT), Iberia (ES), Swiss (CH bilateral), Eurowings (DE), Virgin Atlantic (UK), Vueling (ES), Ryanair (IE), easyJet (UK + AT), Transavia (NL/FR), Edelweiss (CH), Condor (DE), TUI fly (multiple EU/UK), Jet2 (UK).
Which carriers do NOT cover the return?
Non-EU African airlines: Royal Air Maroc, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, EgyptAir, South African Airways, Air Algérie, Tunisair, Air Sénégal, RwandAir, TAAG Angola, Air Mauritius, Air Côte d'Ivoire, Camair-Co, Uganda Airlines. Plus other non-EU like Qatar, Emirates, Etihad, Turkish, Saudia.
What's the practical impact?
If you fly outbound + return on a non-EU carrier, only the outbound (EU/UK departure) leg is covered. The return leg from Africa is uncovered — even though you paid for a round-trip ticket. To get both-way protection, choose EU/UK-registered carriers — typically the same airline both ways.
How much for a covered return flight?
Same distance-based tiers: €250 short-haul, €400 medium-haul, €600 long-haul. UK261: £220/£350/£520. Most Sub-Saharan Africa returns are €600 / £520 long-haul because the great-circle distance is over 3,500 km.
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