Air Passenger Rights in Cyprus: Fewer Complaints, But Airlines Take Weeks to Respond

Air passenger rights in Cyprus remain a hot topic during the peak tourist season. The good news is that the Cyprus Consumers' Association is reporting significantly fewer complaints about flight cancellations and delays in 2026 than in the first half of 2024 and 2025.

However, contacting carriers remains a problem. Passengers wait an average of three to four weeks, and direct telephone contact with the line often proves difficult or impossible.

Cyprus Air Passenger Rights: Fewer Complaints in 2026

The Cyprus Consumers Association points out that in the past two years, there has been an increase in the number of reports regarding flight cancellations, delays, overbooking, problems with luggage, carrier applications and compensation payments.

The situation has been improving since the beginning of 2026. The association has not recently recorded any consumer complaints about delays or cancellations of flights departing from Larnaca and Paphos airports. This doesn't mean such cases don't occur – the organization emphasizes that it doesn't have complete statistics on all incidents at either airport.

Lines respond after 3-4 weeks

Complaint handling is much worse.

According to Virginia Christou of the Cyprus Consumers Association, passengers often struggle to contact their carriers directly. In practice, they are left with sending an email and waiting for a response.

The average response time of the line to a complaint is currently three-four weeks.

“Extraordinary circumstances” do not automatically exempt from compensation

One of the most common reasons for disputes is when airlines invoke so-called extraordinary circumstances.

Carriers cite extreme weather and strikes as reasons why, in their opinion, compensation is not due.

However, simply using such an argument is not enough. the airline must provethat an extraordinary and unavoidable circumstance actually occurred that directly prevented the proper operation of the flight. If the carrier fails to demonstrate this, it cannot validly refuse to pay compensation solely by invoking "extraordinary circumstances."

This principle is also maintained in the updated EU regulations – the burden of demonstrating extraordinary circumstances still rests with the carrier.

What to do if your flight is cancelled or long delayed?

First of all, it is worth keeping all documents related to the trip:

• boarding pass,
• confirmation of reservation,
• messages regarding delays or cancellations,
• correspondence with the carrier,
• bills for additional expenses.

You should then submit a formal complaint directly to the airline.

If the answer is not satisfactory, for flights departing from Larnaca or Paphos The matter can be referred to the Cyprus Department of Civil Aviation, which is the competent authority responsible for applying EU passenger rights regulations. This also applies to flights to Cyprus from a non-EU country if they are operated by an EU carrier.

What about delayed or lost luggage?

Different rules apply to luggage issues.

If the suitcase does not arrive with the passenger, it is worth reporting the problem and receiving a document before leaving the baggage claim hall PIR – Property Irregularity Report.

In the event of baggage delay, the passenger may purchase necessary items and retain receipts. A claim for delayed baggage must be submitted to the carrier within 21 days from receipt, while damage to luggage – within 7 days.

After more than 21 days, your luggage may be considered lost.

The current limit of liability under the Montreal Convention is 1,519 SDR per passenger in the event of destruction, loss, damage or delay of baggage. The limit is specified in SDRs, not as a fixed amount in euros.

New EU rules already approved

Major changes await passengers in the coming months. After years of negotiations, the EU Council approved new regulations on air passenger rights in July 2026.

Importantly, the new regulations are not yet in forceThey are to enter into force 12 months and 20 days after the act's publication in the Official Journal of the EU.

The right to compensation for delays exceeding three hours will be maintained. The rates remain as follows:

• 250 euro – flights up to 1,500 km,
• 400 euro – flights within the EU and on routes between 1,500 and 3,500 km,
• 600 euro – other flights.

30 days for the carrier to respond

The new regulations are primarily intended to simplify the pursuit of rights.

If the delay may give rise to a right to compensation, the carrier will have to 96 hours from arrival electronically inform the passenger about his rights and how to submit the application.

After receiving the claim, the airline will be obliged to confirm its receipt and then within 30 days pay compensation or present a reasoned refusal.

Parents and children together without additional payment

The changes also include several rules that are very important when traveling regularly.

Families with children will be entitled to sit together at no extra charge. Carriers will also be required to more clearly display prices that include carry-on baggage when booking. Each passenger will retain the right to bring one personal item on board that fits under the seat.

The new regulations will also prohibit the practice of cancelling a return flight solely because the traveller has not used the previous ticket segment, i.e. the so-called no-show.

The airline is to find an alternative

Following a flight cancellation or denied boarding, the carrier will be required to offer you a suitable alternative flight.

If this is not done within three hours, the passenger will be able to arrange further travel on their own and apply for a refund within the limits set by the new regulations.

The changes are intended to reduce situations in which passengers wait weeks for a response and have to determine for themselves what rights they actually have.

Source: Cyprus Consumers Association / Council of the European Union / ICAO