Flight compensation for delays caused by drones over the airport?

Yesterday, Copenhagen Airport Kastrup was shut down for four hours due to drone activity. This is an unusual circumstance, which means that affected passengers are not entitled to flight compensation for delays or cancellations.

However, in case of cancellation, it is a condition that the airline has offered the passenger a re-routing at the earliest opportunity. If the passenger has not received such an offer, the passenger is entitled to flight compensation, even in the case of extraordinary circumstances. The passenger is also entitled to a refund of the airfare.

When it comes to flight delays, it is crucial that the delay was not longer than it needed to be. If other airlines are able to depart from the airport and quickly restore normal operations, the passenger may also assume that their own flight will depart. Otherwise, the passenger is entitled to flight compensation. In other words: An airline must have a certain level of emergency preparedness and must be able to get back on the wings as soon as any extraordinary circumstances have ceased.