The short answer
Under the CAA's current guidance, fixed compensation is not due where the disruption resulted from extraordinary circumstances that could not have been avoided even if the airline had taken all reasonable measures. The outcome is fact-specific: identify the event, its connection to your flight and what the airline did to reduce the disruption.
Events the CAA says are likely to qualify
- Weather incompatible with safely operating the flight.
- Strikes unrelated to the airline, such as air traffic control or border force action.
- Security risks, terrorism, sabotage, or political and civil unrest.
- A hidden manufacturing defect that leads to a fleet grounding.
The CAA's Summer 2026 guidance also gives contextual examples including some air traffic management decisions, bird strikes, runway fuel spills and foreign-object tyre damage. An example is not a shortcut: the airline still needs to connect the event to the particular disruption and address reasonable measures.
Technical problems are not automatically extraordinary
The CAA explains that ordinary technical problems and early component failure are not generally treated as extraordinary. It distinguishes exceptional cases such as a hidden manufacturing defect, sabotage or terrorism. Ask for a precise description rather than accepting “technical issue” as either an automatic approval or automatic refusal.
Four questions to put to the airline
- What exactly happened? Ask for the specific weather, ATC, security, strike or technical event and its timing.
- How did it affect this flight? Ask for the operational link between that event and your aircraft, crew, route or airport slot.
- What reasonable measures were attempted? For example, what was considered to avoid or reduce the delay?
- Which time is being used? Preserve the scheduled and actual arrival at your final destination, not only the departure delay.
Keep the original rejection, disruption messages and every follow-up. The aim is a clear record for the airline's internal review and, if necessary, the relevant ADR provider.
Care and expenses are a separate right
Extraordinary circumstances can remove fixed compensation without removing the airline's duty to care during a qualifying wait. Food, drink, communication, overnight accommodation and transport may still be due. If the airline cannot arrange them, keep itemised receipts for reasonable purchases and follow the expenses reimbursement guide.
What to do next
If the cause is unknown, make a direct claim and ask the airline to explain it. If the response remains generic, use the rejection checklist to request a testable explanation. A checker can organise the questions, but only flight records and other evidence can establish the cause.