RwandAir flight delayed or cancelled? Claim compensation and a refund!

Your rights in the event of a delayed or cancelled RwandAir flight

If your Rwandair flight was delayed or cancelled your rights could be protected by the European and British regulations. This protection depends on your flight itinerary as your air passengers rights are only protected if your Rwandair flight was from or to a European airport.

Here are the situation when your rights as an air passenger are protected by the European Regulation (EU261) and that you can claim Rwandair flight compensation:

• RwandAir flight delayed compensation: You are entitled to compensation up to £520 if your Rwandair flight departing or arriving in Europe was delayed by more than 3 hours upon arrival

• RwandAir flight cancellation compensation: You can get flight compensation up to £520 if your RwandAir flight was cancelled less than 14 days before departure.

• RwandAir flight cancellation refund: You are always entitled to a ticket refund if your RwandAir flight was cancelled and that you did not travel with the airline anymore.

• Regardless of the flight disruption or its cause, airlines must provide passengers with special assistance, known as the "right to care.” This includes: food and beverage vouchers, communication services, and, if needed, accommodations and transportation. You can claim those directly at the airline’s service desk at the airport, if the airline refuses to give you a voucher, just go and buy what you need — they will have to pay you back those expenses (as long as they are reasonable).

Note that you can only claim flight compensation to the airline if they were responsible for the flight delay or cancellation. If the flight disruption was caused by an extraordinary circumstance you won't be eligible for flight compensation.

RwandAir compensation for delayed flight

If you have experienced a delayed RwandAir flight, you may be entitled to RwandAir flight delay compensation under European and British regulations. You have the right to claim compensation if your flight was delayed by more than 3 hours upon arrival.

The compensation amount can be up to £520 per passenger depending on the distance of your flight. Moreover, since RwandAir is not a European airline, you can only get flight compensation if your flight departed from or landed in a European airport. RwandAir must also be responsible for the delay.

RwandAir compensation for cancelled flight

If your RwandAir flight gets cancelled, you may be entitled to compensation under EU261 and UK regulations, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria.

When can I claim compensation for my cancelled RwandAir flight?

To be eligible for compensation, your flight must be:

1. Cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled departure, AND,

2. Cancelled due to situations within the airline’s control.

When can I claim a refund for my cancelled RwandAir flight? 

In addition to compensation, you may also be entitled to a refund of your ticket or an alternative flight to your destination. If you choose to reject the alternative flight, you are still eligible for a full refund.

Can I get flight compensation if I cancel my Rwandair flight? 

If you cancel your RwandAir flight, you can not get compensation under the air passenger rights regulations. You could however ask for a ticket refund but this depends on your travel insurance.

RwandAir missed connection flight due to delay or cancellation

If you missed your flight connection because of a RwandAir delayed or cancelled flight, you could be able to claim flight compensation. Here is what you need to consider in order to claim RwandAir missed flight compensation:

• Both of your flight must be under the same booking reference
• The delay or cancellation meet the above criteria

Should I accept the airline voucher offered for my RwandAir cancelled or delayed flight? 

The simple answer is no, here is why:

1. The voucher may have an expiry date or may be subject to certain restrictions and blackout dates

2. If the airline goes bankrupt, you might no longer be able to get your money with your unused voucher.

=> Have you already accepted a voucher from RwandAir? You may still be able to exchange it for a cash refund!

Check your RwandAir flight status

You can easily check the status of your flight on the RwandAir website or directly on the website from the airport you are departing from. 

How much RwandAir compensation can I get for a delayed or cancelled flight?

The amount of compensation depends on the distance of the flight.

Distance of your flight	Compensation
Flights shorter than 1,500 km	Get £220 per passenger
Flight between 1,500 and 3,500 km	Get £350 per passenger
Flights of over 1,500 kilometres within the EU	Get £350 per passenger
Flights of over 3,500 kilometres outside of the EU	Get £520 per passenger

Overbooked RwandAir flights: Your rights and compensation

If you are affected by an overbooked RwandAir flight, you may be entitled to compensation and/or a refund.

Under British and EU regulations, if you are denied boarding due to overbooking, RwandAir must offer you an alternative flight, or a refund of your ticket. In addition, you may be entitled to compensation of up to £520 if the delay caused by overbooking is more than three hours.

RwandAir is not a part of the UK or EU, am I still entitled to compensation?

Although RwandAir is not a part of the UK or EU, you may still be entitled to compensation under certain circumstances. The UK and EU regulations apply to all flights departing from a UK/EU country.

Type of flight	Example	Compensation
Flying with a British carrier	Tokyo to London with British Airways	Yes
Flying with a EU carrier	Amsterdam to London with KLM	Yes
Flying with a non-UK/non-EU carrier from the UK	London to Tokyo with Japan Airlines	Yes
Flying with a non-UK/non-EU carrier to the UK	Tokyo to London with Japan Airlines	No

=> Unsure about your flight compensation eligibility? You can seek legal advice from Flight Delayed to determine your eligibility for compensation.

Extraordinary circumstances: can RwandAir deny me compensation?

Sometimes, flight delays and cancellations can occur due to unforeseen events or circumstances beyond the airline's control. These situations are known as "extraordinary circumstances." When extraordinary circumstances cause flight delays or cancellations, you will not be entitled to flight compensation.

Common extraordinary circumstances that allow RwandAir to deny your compensation claim are:

• Bad weather conditions, such as thick fog, heavy rain, or thunderstorms.

• A strike, most often specifically within the aviation industry (for example, a strike of air traffic control workers at a specific airport).

  However, a strike of the airline's crew is not considered an extraordinary circumstance!

• Political circumstances, such as a terrorist attack or general security risk due to political unrest.

• Natural disasters, including volcanic eruptions and hurricanes.

• A collision between the aircraft and birds or other foreign objects.

• An ill or unruly passenger.

• Flight delays caused by the airport staff, such as extraordinarily long queues to security checks.

However, it's essential to note that airlines often use this exemption as a defence to avoid paying compensation, so it's crucial to seek legal advice to determine if you are eligible for compensation.

How long do I have to claim my RwandAir compensation and refund?

As RwandAir is not a European airline, the time limit depends on the country of departure.

For instance, if your RwandAir flight was delayed, cancelled or overbooked, you have up to 6 years to file a claim for compensation or refund if your flight departed from the UK (except for Scotland, with 5 years).

If your RwandAir flight departed from the EU, different laws apply to each country. Generally, you have 1 to 3 years to claim your flight compensation or refund.

If you are unsure whether you are still eligible to claim, it's best to act promptly and seek legal advice from experts at Flight Delayed to ensure that you receive the compensation or refund you are entitled to.

How long will it take to get my RwandAir flight compensation / refund?

The time it takes to receive your RwandAir flight compensation and/or refund can vary. In general, if your claim is accepted and uncontested, you can expect to receive your payment within a few weeks to a few months. However, if your claim is contested or if there are delays due to legal proceedings, it can take several months or even years to receive your compensation.

No matter how long it takes, our legal experts will fight for your right until the end. No win, no fee!

How to claim compensation for my delayed or cancelled RwandAir flight

To claim compensation for your delayed or cancelled RwandAir flight, you can rely on Flight Delayed. We have an online claim form that you can complete in just a few minutes. Once we receive your claim, we will handle all communication with the airline on your behalf. Our legal experts will pursue your claim vigorously to ensure that you receive the compensation you are entitled to. So, let us help you claim the compensation you deserve for your delayed or cancelled RwandAir flight.

About RwandAir

RwandAir is the flag carrier airline of Rwanda, based at Kigali International Airport. It was founded in 2002, and since then, the airline has grown its fleet and route network, connecting Rwanda to other parts of Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. RwandAir currently operates flights to more than 30 destinations, including London, Brussels, Mumbai, Johannesburg, and Dubai. The airline prides itself on offering quality services to its passengers and has received several awards for its outstanding performance.

Useful links

• More details on delayed flight compensation
• More details on cancelled flight compensation
• Post-Brexit flight compensation rules in the UK
• Rules regarding missed flight compensation
• Rules regarding flight compensation in the case of denied boarding
• Claim Calculator — check if you are eligible for compensation