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If my flight lands at another airport serving the same city or region, who pays to reach the original airport under EU rules?

For a covered diversion to an alternative airport serving the same town, city or region, the airline must address the transfer to the booked airport or another nearby destination agreed with you. Do not assume landing at the substitute airport ends the journey for every rights calculation.

Traveler organizing trip records and next steps after a flight disruption

What this answer depends on

  • Flights and passengers within Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. Check departure, destination, operating carrier and the specific conditions below; the airline name alone does not establish coverage.
  • Where the alternative airport serves the same town, city or region, the operating carrier must bear the cost of transfer to the original airport or another nearby destination agreed with the passenger.
  • The relevant arrival delay in this situation is measured to reaching the booked airport or the agreed nearby destination after the transfer.
  • If the carrier fails to offer the required transfer, necessary, appropriate and reasonable self-arranged transfer costs can be claimed under the guidance.

Important exceptions

  • An airport in a different town, city or region can require a cancellation-style analysis instead. The phrase “nearby” does not mean any personal destination you prefer. A private onward plan beyond the booked or agreed destination needs a separate basis; do not roll an entire holiday’s ground transport into the transfer claim.

What to do next

  1. Ask where the airline’s transfer will take you and obtain the meeting point, departure arrangements and destination. Clarify whether the airline agrees to a different nearby drop-off.

  2. If no transfer is offered, request assistance before making your own arrangement when practicable. Keep the unanswered request or refusal with the eventual receipt.

  3. Choose a reasonable way to reach the booked airport or agreed destination and record the arrival time there. Preserve the destination shown on the receipt so the cost can be linked to the required transfer.

  4. Claim the transfer expense separately from any fixed compensation. For compensation, explain the full arrival timeline and the underlying cause; the diversion alone is not a guarantee of a payment.

  5. Have the original destination airport, substitute airport, carrier transfer offer, any agreed alternative destination, transfer receipt and actual arrival time at the end of that transfer.

More booking questions

Does touchdown at the alternate airport stop the delay clock?

Not for the transfer situation described here; the guidance uses arrival at the booked airport or agreed nearby destination.

Checked againstRegulation (EC) No 261/20042024 Interpretative Guidelines on Regulation (EC) No 261/2004

Can I select any taxi destination?

Agree the destination with the carrier where possible and keep it within the applicable transfer obligation.

Checked againstRegulation (EC) No 261/20042024 Interpretative Guidelines on Regulation (EC) No 261/2004

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