# Flight compensation in Georgia — delays and cancellations If your flight from Tbilisi, Kutaisi or Batumi was delayed, cancelled or you were denied boarding, the operating air carrier may owe you 250, 400 or 600 EUR in compensation, a ticket refund and free care. These rules are set by Order №122 of Georgia's Civil Aviation Agency. We help passengers file the claim and go to court. - Confidential - Georgian · English · Russian - Consultation from 300 GEL - Courts of all instances The rules apply to passengers departing from an airport in Georgia with a Georgian or foreign operating air carrier, and to passengers flying from another country to Georgia with a Georgian operating air carrier, unless they received compensation or assistance in that country (Rules, Article 1, point 2). They do not apply to free tickets or reduced fares not available to the public (Article 1, point 5). The carrier's obligations are also governed by Article 75 of the Air Code. The rules do not limit the passenger's right to go to court (Article 3, point 9). ## Amount of compensation Flight distanceCompensationUp to and including 1,500 km250 EUROver 1,500 km, up to and including 3,500 km400 EUROver 3,500 km600 EUR The amounts are set by Article 7; distance is measured along the great-circle route — the shortest line between two points (Article 3, point 10). If you were offered an alternative route and did not arrive later than the limits set by the rules, the carrier may reduce the compensation by 50% (Article 7, points 2 and 3). Compensation is paid in cash or by bank transfer. ## Delayed flight - You are entitled to meals, refreshments and two phone calls or emails if the flight is delayed by 2 hours or more for flights up to 1,500 km, 3 hours or more for 1,500–3,500 km and 4 hours or more for over 3,500 km (Article 6, point 1). - If departure is postponed by at least one day, the carrier must provide a hotel and transport to it (Article 6, point 2). - With a delay of at least 5 hours you may ask for a ticket refund and a return to your point of departure (Article 3, point 4; Article 6, point 3). - If you reach your final destination at least 3 hours late, you are entitled to compensation, unless the carrier proves the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances that could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken (Article 6, point 4). ## Cancelled flight - You are entitled to meals and communication, and if the alternative flight offered departs at least 24 hours later, also a hotel and transport to it; and a choice between a refund and an alternative route (Article 5, point 1(a); Article 8). - No compensation is due if you were told about the cancellation at least 14 calendar days before the flight (Article 5, point 1(b.a)). - If you were told 7 to 14 days before, no compensation is due only if you were offered a flight departing no more than 2 hours earlier and arriving less than 4 hours late (Article 5, point 1(b.b)). - If you were told less than 7 days before, no compensation is due only if you were offered a flight departing no more than 1 hour earlier and arriving no more than 2 hours late (Article 5, point 1(b.c)). - The carrier is exempt from compensation if it proves extraordinary circumstances. In a dispute, it must prove that it notified you of the cancellation and when (Article 5, points 2 and 2¹). The rules define extraordinary circumstances as political instability, weather conditions, unexpected flight-safety or aviation-security risks, strikes and similar events (Article 2(n)). ## Denied boarding - If there are not enough seats, the carrier must first look for volunteers who give up their seats in exchange for benefits (Article 4, point 1). - If you are denied boarding against your will, you must be paid compensation immediately and given assistance — a refund or an alternative route and free care (Article 3, point 2; Article 4, point 2). - A refusal due to the passenger's health, flight safety, aviation security or missing travel documents is not denied boarding (Article 2(i)). ## Ticket refund or alternative route When the rules apply, the carrier must give you a choice (Article 8, point 1): - A refund of the ticket at the price you paid — within 7 days of the flight date, plus a return to your point of departure if needed. - An alternative route to your final destination at the earliest opportunity. - An alternative route at a later date convenient to you, subject to seat availability. If a city has several airports and you are flown to a different one, the cost of getting from there is fully borne by the carrier (Article 8, point 3). ## Free care and class changes - Free care means meals and refreshments in proportion to the waiting time, a hotel if you must stay overnight, transport between the airport and the hotel, and two phone calls or emails (Article 9, point 1). - Persons with disabilities, their companions and unaccompanied children must be helped immediately, whatever the length of the delay (Article 11). - If you are downgraded, within 7 days of the flight you must be refunded 30% (up to 1,500 km), 50% (1,500–3,500 km) or 75% (over 3,500 km) of the ticket price; you cannot be charged extra for an upgrade (Article 10). ## Protecting your rights - When boarding is denied, a flight is cancelled or long delayed, the carrier must inform you in writing (email, SMS) of the compensation and assistance rules, and display a notice in Georgian and English with the Agency's contact details at the check-in desk (Article 13, points 2 and 3). - Contract terms that limit or waive these rights are not allowed (Article 13, point 5). - If you accepted lower compensation because you were misinformed, you keep the right to additional compensation (Article 13, point 6). - Compliance is monitored by the Civil Aviation Agency; carriers that breach the rules are liable under the Code of Administrative Offences (Article 3, points 5 and 7). - Compensation under the rules does not limit other compensation, though it may be deducted from it (Article 12). ## Our services - Assessing whether you are entitled to compensation and how much - A written claim to the air carrier - A complaint to the Civil Aviation Agency - A lawsuit and representation in court - Representing passengers who have left Georgia, under a power of attorney ## Questions & answers ### How much compensation am I entitled to? By flight distance: 250 EUR up to 1,500 km, 400 EUR from 1,500 to 3,500 km, 600 EUR over 3,500 km (Rules approved by Order №122, Article 7). ### After how many hours of delay is compensation due? If you reach your destination at least 3 hours late, unless the carrier proves extraordinary circumstances (Article 6, point 4). ### My flight was cancelled two weeks in advance — am I entitled to compensation? No, if you were told at least 14 calendar days before the flight. You still have the right to a refund or an alternative route (Articles 5 and 8). ### What am I entitled to if the flight was cancelled because of the weather? If the carrier proves extraordinary circumstances, it does not pay compensation. Its duty to assist — meals, hotel, refund or alternative route — remains (Article 5). ### How soon must the ticket be refunded? Within 7 days of the flight date, at the price you paid (Article 8, point 1(a)). ### I have already left Georgia — can I still claim? Yes. A lawyer can represent you under a power of attorney — filing the claim, contacting the Agency and going to court. ## Legal basis - [Civil Aviation Agency Order №122 of 17 July 2012 (rules on compensation and assistance to passengers)](https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/1702194) - [Air Code of Georgia](https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/33298) - [Civil Code of Georgia](https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/31702) Official texts (in Georgian) — Legislative Herald of Georgia, matsne.gov.ge. Important: the information on this page is general and is not legal advice. It reflects the law in force on the date of publication. The law may change, and every case is assessed individually. Do not make decisions based solely on this information — it is best to consult a lawyer first. 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