Flight Delay and Cancellation Rules Around the World
Flight rules are not the same everywhere. Some countries set fixed amounts by law, some require meals, hotels, and rebooking, and some rely on general consumer law. Below is a plain-language guide to countries outside the US and Europe that have their own air passenger rules. Pick your country for the details.
Europe and the UK
Flying from an EU airport, or on an EU airline into the EU? Start with our EU261 guide and our Europe country guides, which cover the EU, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and the UK.
Country guides
| Country | Main rule | Where to complain |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) | Canadian Transportation Agency |
| Mexico | Ley de Aviación Civil, Article 47 Bis | PROFECO |
| Brazil | ANAC Resolution 400 (updated by Resolution 813/2026) | ANAC |
| Argentina | ANAC general conditions of air transport | ANAC / Defensa del Consumidor |
| Chile | Código Aeronáutico, Articles 133 A–133 B | JAC / SERNAC |
| Colombia | RAC 3 and Law 1480 of 2011 | Superintendencia de Transporte |
| Israel | Aviation Services Law, 2012 | Civil Aviation Authority of Israel |
| Türkiye | SHY-Passenger regulation (SHY-YOLCU) | DGCA Türkiye (SHGM) |
| Saudi Arabia | GACA Passenger Rights Protection Regulations | GACA |
| United Arab Emirates | GCAA CAR-PWP Passenger Welfare Program | GCAA |
| India | DGCA CAR Section 3, Series M, Part IV | AirSewa |
| China | Public Air Transport Passenger Service Regulations (2021) | CAAC (12326) |
| South Korea | Aviation Business Act and MOLIT user protection standards | Korea Consumer Agency |
| Australia | Australian Consumer Law (no fixed compensation scheme) | ACCC |
| New Zealand | Civil Aviation Act 2023 and consumer law | Consumer Protection (MBIE) |
How these rules differ
- Fixed amounts set by law: Canada, Israel, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, India (for some cancellations and denied boarding), Mexico (a percentage of the fare), and Colombia (a percentage of the segment). These apply only in the situations each rule describes, and exceptions such as weather or safety often apply.
- Care and rebooking rules: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and the United Arab Emirates focus on meals, hotels, communication, rebooking, and refunds.
- Airline policies and consumer law: China, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand rely on airline-published policies, dispute standards, or general consumer law rather than one national payment table.
Which rule applies to my trip?
It usually depends on where your flight departed, where it landed, and which airline operated it. More than one rule can apply to the same trip, for example a flight from Europe to Israel or from Canada to the US. Most rules also say you cannot collect the same type of benefit twice.
What to do in any country
- Get the reason in writing. Ask the airline or check the app for the official cause of the delay or cancellation.
- Record the times. Screenshot the scheduled and actual departure and arrival times.
- Keep receipts for meals, hotels, and transportation.
- Ask for care at the airport (meals, hotel) when the rule provides it.
- Write to the airline first. Almost every complaint body requires a written request to the airline before it will act.
Related guides
- Flight cancelled? What to ask for
- Missed a connection because of a delay?
- EU261 guide
- Europe country guides
Create your letter
Delay Draft writes a clear, professional letter that you send to the airline yourself. It lists your flight, the times, the cause you were given, and the rule you are relying on. We are not a law firm, we do not give legal advice, and we do not file claims for you. Questions: claims@delaydraft.com.