Are you experiencing a last-minute flight cancellation?
If your Air Malta flight is cancelled last-minute, it can introduce a wave of worries, particularly if you have other flights or concurrent travel plans. However, passenger rights under EU law and Air Malta’s flight cancellation policy safeguard you in these cases. This protection has been in place for over a decade, so if your Air Malta flight is abruptly cancelled, the airline is bound to assist you and propose an appropriate alternative.
1. Air Malta Flight Cancellation: Last-Minute Flight Cancellation
Are you experiencing a last-minute flight cancellation?
Don’t worry. Air Malta are obligated to provide support to affected passengers.
- If the cancellation leads to extensive waiting times at the airport, you have a right to care from Air Malta. In case of a delay exceeding 3 hours, you are entitled to a meal coupon, and if the delay necessitates an overnight stay — complimentary hotel accommodation and transfer.
- If you don’t want to travel on the alternative flight provided by the airline, you can claim a full refund from Air Malta. The refund can either be deposited directly into your bank account, or provided as an Air Malta voucher.
- Provided it’s a last-minute flight cancellation (i.e., a flight cancelled up to 2 weeks before the original departure date), and the cancellation is due to an error on Air Malta’s part, you are entitled to flight cancellation compensation from Air Malta.
If a cancellation on your Air Malta flight results in a missed connection, you could be eligible for compensation. For further details, you may refer to our Air Malta missed connection compensation guide. In essence, the compensation guidelines mirror those applicable for flight delays. The compensation depends on how much later you reach your final destination relative to your scheduled arrival time.
These compensation guidelines are applicable to all Air Malta flights to and from Europe.
By Europe and EU here on this page (and on this website in general) we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
2. What to Do if Your Flight Is Cancelled Last-Minute?
Dealing with a last-minute flight cancellation may depend on your whereabouts at the time of cancellation. If you are still at home or at your hotel, the steps you should take may differ from if you’re already at the airport.
2.1 If You Are Still at Home or Hotel
In the event you are still at home or in your hotel when your flight is cancelled, it’s advisable to stay put for the time being. Reach out to Air Malta’s customer service to understand your next course of action.
As previously stated, Air Malta will provide assistance. They will guide you regarding the various alternatives available to you – perhaps you might be leaving on the same day, or the next, depending on flight availability. Bear in mind that you can also opt for a flight with a different airline.
You may also opt for a refund for cancellation.
2.2 If You Are Already at the Airport
If you find yourself at the airport when your flight is cancelled, do not proceed to airport security.
A new flight will be arranged for you, and this requires you to check in once more to get a new boarding pass. If you have baggage to check in, do it once again. If you have already cleared security, seek to return to the landside (public access) area of the airport.
Approach Air Malta’s representatives at the airport to know your next steps. They will assist you by providing an alternative flight to your destination (or a complete refund) and also care.
If the reason for cancellation was extraordinary circumstances, you can claim care, a free alternative flight to your final destination, or ask for a refund if you so choose. However, if the cancellation results from factors within the airline’s control, in addition to the aforementioned options, you are also eligible for flight cancellation compensation.
3. Air Malta Flight Cancellation Compensation
Are you experiencing a last-minute flight cancellation and wondering can you get compensation? Certain rules and regulations regarding flight compensation have been set out by the EU.
If your flight is cancelled less than 2 weeks before the planned departure date, it is considered a last-minute cancellation, and you might be eligible for compensation.
Your flight is cancelled 7 – 14 days before the scheduled time of departure:
- If you opt for a new flight offered by Air Malta that leaves no more than 2 hours before the original departure time and you arrive at your destination less than 4 hours after the original arrival time, you are not entitled to compensation.
- In all other circumstances, you are entitled to compensation.
Your flight is cancelled less than 7 days before the scheduled time of departure:
- If you select a new flight provided by Air Malta which leaves not more than 1 hour before the originally scheduled departure and you arrive at your destination less than 2 hours after the planned arrival time, you are not entitled to compensation.
- In all other circumstances, you are entitled to compensation.
The criteria for making a compensation claim include:
- Flight cancelled due to Air Malta’s fault;
- Flight departs from or arrives in Europe;
- Flight cancelled at last minute (less than 14 days before departure).
Read more: Air Malta Flight Cancellation Compensation
4. Air Malta Flight Cancellation Refund
In the event of an Air Malta flight cancellation, the airline provides passengers with the option of either obtaining a rescheduled flight or a full refund.
Your individual preference and further travel plans will guide your choice.
Refunds from Air Malta should be processed within a week’s time.
It’s important to highlight that the entitlement to compensation and the right to a refund are distinct as per the EU flight compensation regulations. Thus, claiming a refund doesn’t invalidate your eligibility for compensation, contingent on the specifics of the flight cancellation, as described above.
Read more: Your Air Malta Refund Is Taking Forever. What Can You Do About It?
4.1 What If You Cancel a Flight?
If you, the traveller, decide to cancel your flight, the refund conditions will vary.
Air Malta’s refund policy primarily depends on the type of ticket you have purchased.
Tickets that are fully flexible are generally refundable, whereas low-cost, non-flexible tickets may not be refundable.
To avoid doubt, it is always advised to review the specific terms of your ticket or to reach out to Air Malta’s customer service for further clarification. If you have secured travel insurance that includes cancellation cover, you could possibly secure a refund via your insurance provider.
5. How to Claim Air Malta Flight Cancellation Compensation and Flight Cancellation Refund?
If a refund for your ticket is your preference, this can be requested via the “Manage My Booking” section. The refund will be processed using the same payment method initially used for the ticket purchase.
What about flight cancellation compensation?
In a situation where your flight is cancelled, you could be eligible for compensation from Air Malta. It is crucial to file a claim for this, without which, compensation cannot be obtained. Air Malta’s customer service can be contacted to submit your claim.
Always remember, that you have the right to receive compensation, and there’s no obligation to accept Air Malta vouchers. EC Regulation 261 specifies that compensation for flight disruptions within the EU should be paid directly into your bank account. The compensation amount you can claim ranges from €250 to €600 and is predetermined.
Legal representation provides a hassle-free alternative.
Choosing this way means that a flight compensation company handles everything on your behalf. They will submit a compensation claim and manage the entire process for you.
Our partners offer such services.
When choosing this option, here is all you will have to do:
And that’s it — the rest is handled by professionals.
* Your boarding pass and passport or ID copy.
Read more: How to Claim Air Malta Compensation?
Last-minute flight cancellation – have you ever experienced that? How did the airline solve that? Do you still have questions about Air Malta compensation policies? Ask in the comments.