When a bomb threat disrupts air traffic, airlines and security authorities respond with short-notice diversions, precautionary landings or flight cancellations. For affected travellers, one question quickly arises: What happens if I only reach my final destination hours later or not at all – and am I entitled to compensation?
Is there compensation for a bomb threat?
A bomb threat is a security risk that is normally beyond the airline's actual control. It is considered a so-called extraordinary circumstance within the meaning of the EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation.
In this case, the airline is generally not required to pay flat-rate compensation under Article 7 of the Air Passenger Rights Regulation. However, this does not automatically apply to every disruption where the airline merely refers to a bomb threat.
Above all, the airline must prove in each individual case that the specific threat caused the cancellation or long arrival delay, and that it took all reasonable measures to keep the consequences to a minimum. If the long delay only arises from avoidable organisational problems after the security measures have been completed, compensation may still be payable.
“Flight cancellations connected with the bomb threats at various European airports are an extraordinary circumstance, in which airlines are generally exempt from paying compensation. Nevertheless, airlines must take all reasonable measures to keep possible cancellations and delays to a minimum,” explains Flightright passenger rights expert Feyza Türkön.
Not every flight disruption is extraordinary. If the cause lies within the airline's area of responsibility, you may be entitled to compensation of €250 to €600 – for example in the case of ordinary technical faults, problems with crew or staff planning, missing crew or a strike by the airline's own staff.
What are my rights in extraordinary circumstances?
EU air passenger rights distinguish between flat-rate compensation and other entitlements. Even if the airline does not have to pay compensation because of an extraordinary circumstance, the rights to re-routing and care in particular remain in place. The condition is that the flight concerned falls within the scope of the Regulation.
Your right to | What the airline must provide |
|---|---|
Re-routing | In the event of a cancellation, you can request alternative transport to your final destination at the earliest opportunity. Available direct or indirect connections must be considered, including flights operated by other airlines where appropriate. |
Care | Depending on the waiting time, the airline must offer reasonable meals and refreshments as well as means of communication. If an overnight stay becomes necessary, this generally includes a hotel and transfers. |
Ticket refund | In the event of a cancellation, you can choose a refund of the unused ticket instead of re-routing. If your departure is delayed by more than five hours, you are also entitled to a refund. If you choose a refund, you cannot also request transport to your final destination. |
Transfer after a diversion | If the flight lands at another airport serving the same city or region, the airline must generally cover the cost of transport to the originally booked airport or to another nearby destination agreed with you. |
What must the airline do after a diversion?
After a precautionary landing, the airline's responsibility does not end at the alternative airport. The airline must assess the situation, inform travellers and organise a reasonable solution so that they can reach their booked final destination as early as possible. A seat on the airline's own flight the following day is not necessarily sufficient if a significantly earlier direct or indirect connection is available.
“Airlines are obliged to transport passengers to their planned final destination as quickly as possible and must also consider other airlines, indirect flights and alternative means of transport to do so,” explains Türkön.
Which alternative means of transport are appropriate depends on factors such as the route, availability, the security situation and the time saved. Over shorter distances, a train or bus may make more sense than a late replacement flight. A taxi may also be an option for a necessary transfer or a manageable remaining distance. What matters is the specific situation and reasonable costs.
Can I book alternative transport myself?
If the airline does not offer prompt and suitable re-routing, travellers may, under certain conditions, book alternative transport themselves and claim back the necessary costs from the airline.
Even if you book it yourself, you should generally keep an eye on costs and document as much as possible:
Contact the airline: Explicitly request re-routing to your booked final destination at the earliest opportunity. Ask for a specific connection, not just a general reference to later flights.
Record available alternatives: Take screenshots of earlier flights, train or bus connections and their prices. Also document it if the airline cannot be reached or refuses to offer a solution.
Book reasonably: Choose a comparable, available and economically justifiable option. Avoid unnecessary upgrades or costs that are not required to reach your final destination.
Keep your receipts: Keep your booking confirmation, boarding pass, messages from the airline, chat histories, invoices and proof of payment.
Mind your right to choose: If you are claiming the cost of re-routing, you should not also accept a refund of the original ticket. If in doubt, seek advice before confirming a refund option.
If you had to pay for necessary alternative transport yourself, Flightright can help you check and claim your alternative transport costs.
IMPORTANT: In this article, we refer to the air passenger rights currently in force. The new Reform Regulation (EU) 2026/2202 applies from 23 October 2027 and introduces, among other things, explicit rules on self-rebooking after a three-hour delay and a reimbursement cap of 400 percent of the ticket price.
What care am I entitled to?
Extraordinary circumstances generally do not change the airline's duty of care. Depending on the flight distance and the length of the wait, it must provide travellers with reasonable meals and refreshments, often in the form of vouchers. Passengers are also entitled to two free phone calls, emails or similar messages.
If the onward flight is postponed to the next day, the airline must generally also arrange any necessary hotel accommodation and transfers between the airport and the accommodation, or reimburse reasonable expenses.
If you do not receive any support, only buy what is reasonably necessary during the wait and keep all receipts so that you can claim a refund from the airline.
Did a bomb threat disrupt your flight?
A bomb threat does not automatically rule out compensation. What matters is whether the airline can prove the causal link and that it took reasonable measures.
