Passenger rights

Flight delay claims: when to file, and how each airline handles it

Kosovo and Albania aren't in the EU, so which rule protects you depends on where your flight left from, where it landed and which airline flew it. This page puts the rules, deadlines and every airline's own claim form for Prishtina (PRN) and Tirana (TIA) in one place. Each fact links to the regulator or the airline.

Checked 21 Oct 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.

Looking for the amounts and the TK78 story in short? See the EU261 & SHY compensation guide.

Try the compensation checker →

Which rule covers your flight

RuleFlights it covers
EU261
Source		Any flight leaving an EU airport, on any airline (for example Vienna → Prishtina or Munich → Tirana). Flights arriving in the EU from outside, if the airline is an EU airline (for example Prishtina → Vienna on Austrian). EU rules also cover flights to and from Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.
Kosovo (Regulation 2008/5)
Source		Every flight departing Prishtina, on any airline. Also flights arriving at Prishtina from outside the EU/EEA/ECAA area on an EU, EEA or ECAA-licensed airline. Kosovo's Ministry of Infrastructure says this regulation implements EU 261/2004.
Albania (Instruction no. 1/2013)
Source		Flights departing an Albanian airport, on any airline. Flights arriving in Albania on an Albanian or European Common Aviation Area airline. Flights arriving at an ECAA airport on an Albanian airline.
Turkey (SHY-YOLCU)
Source		All flights of Turkish airlines to and from airports in Turkey, and all flights of foreign airlines departing airports in Turkey (Article 2 of the regulation).
UK261
Source		Flights departing a UK airport on any airline, flights arriving in the UK on a UK or EU airline, and flights arriving in the EU on a UK airline.
Montreal Convention
Source		Lost, damaged or delayed bags (and delay damage) on international flights between countries that are party to the convention. It sets the complaint deadlines for bags.

Kosovo and Albania are outside the EU: what that means

  • Flying home from Vienna, Munich, Zurich or any EU/EEA/Swiss airport: EU261 covers you on any airline.
  • Leaving Prishtina: Kosovo's Regulation 2008/5 covers every departure, and complaints go to Kosovo's Ministry of Infrastructure (MIT) after the airline.
  • Leaving Tirana: Albania's rules cover every departure, and complaints go to the Civil Aviation Authority (AAC) after the airline.
  • Leaving Istanbul for Prishtina or Tirana: SHY-YOLCU covers every departure from Turkey. Arriving in Istanbul on a Turkish airline is covered too.
  • Arriving at an EU airport from Prishtina or Tirana: EU261 applies only if the airline is an EU airline, and only if you haven't already received benefits for that journey under the other country's law.
  • Kosovo's ministry doesn't handle baggage complaints: those fall under the Montreal Convention, so take them to the airline.

Deadlines

WhatWhen
EU261 compensation
Source		No EU-wide deadline. The time limit for going to court follows the national rules of the EU country where you sue. Complain to the airline first; if there's no reply within 2 months, or you're not satisfied, go to the national enforcement body where it happened.
Flights from Prishtina
Source		File with the airline first. If it doesn't answer within 6 weeks, or you're unhappy with the answer, send the same form to Kosovo's Ministry of Infrastructure.
Flights from Tirana
Source		File with the airline first. If there's no reply within 6 weeks, send the complaint form to the Albanian Civil Aviation Authority at pax@acaa.gov.al.
SHY-YOLCU (Turkey)
Source		Apply to the airline first, then to Turkey's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (SHGM) through its online system. The regulation text we read sets no filing deadline.
UK261
Source		Claim from the airline first. After its final answer, or 8 weeks without one, escalate to its ADR body or the CAA. Court claims: 6 years in England and Wales, 5 years in Scotland.
Damaged checked bag
Source		Complain in writing to the airline as soon as you find the damage, at the latest within 7 days of receiving the bag.
Delayed bag
Source		Complain in writing within 21 days of the bag being placed at your disposal. If a checked bag hasn't arrived 21 days after it should have, you can treat it as lost.
Court action over bags or delay damage
Source		Within 2 years of arrival (or of the date the plane should have arrived), under the Montreal Convention.

Proof to keep

  • Boarding passes and the booking confirmation or e-ticket (with the booking code).
  • The airline's delay or cancellation message (email, text or app notice).
  • Your actual arrival time at the final destination: a screenshot of the arrivals board or the airline app helps.
  • Itemised receipts for meals, hotel and transport you paid for yourself.
  • For bags: the Property Irregularity Report from the airport desk, photos of any damage, and receipts for the items and the essentials you had to buy.
  • Copies of everything you send the airline and everything it sends back. Keep the originals.

Filing for someone else? Albania's AAC asks for a power of attorney, and Turkey's SHGM asks for a notarised or apostilled one. Albania's AAC also asks for a passport copy and bank details.

How to claim, step by step

  1. Check which rule covers your flight Use the table above: where the flight left from, where it landed and the airline's home country decide it. With connections on one booking, the delay is measured at your final destination.
  2. Collect your proof Boarding passes, booking code, the delay notice, your real arrival time and every receipt (see the list above).
  3. Claim from the operating airline Use the airline's own form (links below). The EU says to complain to the airline that operated the flight.
  4. Wait for the reply, then escalate 2 months for EU261, 6 weeks for Kosovo and Albania, 8 weeks for UK261. Then go to the authority for the airport where it happened (Kosovo's Ministry of Infrastructure, Albania's AAC, Turkey's SHGM, the UK CAA or the EU country's national body).
  5. Go to court if you need to For EU261, the time limit for going to court follows the national rules of the country where you sue.

Where to escalate

  • Kosovo (flights from Prishtina): the EU complaint form, sent by email to avioudhetaret@rks-gov.net. Form (PDF)
  • Albania (flights from Tirana): pax@acaa.gov.al. How to complain
  • Turkey: SHGM's online system, kdmerp.shgm.gov.tr. SHGM's call centre is 444 60 01. SHGM page
  • EU countries: the national enforcement body of the country where it happened, listed by the EU. Your Europe
  • UK: the airline's ADR scheme or the CAA's Passenger Advice and Complaints Team. UK CAA

How each airline handles claims

Only airlines we could confirm on Tirana airport's own flight board or on the airline's own Prishtina page. The rule that applies to your flight depends on the route: use the table above.

Turkish Airlines (TK)

Serves: Tirana (board, 21–22 Oct 2026) and Prishtina (Turkish Airlines' own US booking page lists New York and Miami to Prishtina itineraries).

  • Turkish Airlines feedback form
  • Passenger rights (legal notice)
  • Claims go through the online feedback form ("Create new feedback"); the same page lists your previous feedback.
  • A Turkish airline, so SHY-YOLCU covers its flights to and from Turkey. Its flights leaving Prishtina, Tirana or the EU also fall under those places' rules.
  • If the airline doesn't settle it, Turkey's civil aviation authority (SHGM) takes passenger-rights applications online at kdmerp.shgm.gov.tr.

Source 1 · Source 2

Pegasus Airlines (PC)

Serves: Tirana (Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen flights on the board, 21–22 Oct 2026).

  • Pegasus: write to us
  • Passenger rights page
  • Its passenger-rights brochure says to raise the problem first with Pegasus's service provider where you are, then write through the website contact form with a short summary, the flight date and number, your booking code (PNR) and copies of the documents.
  • A company operating under Turkish law, so SHY-YOLCU covers its flights to and from Turkey.
  • SHGM, Turkey's civil aviation authority, online at kdmerp.shgm.gov.tr.

Source 1 · Source 2

Austrian Airlines (OS)

Serves: Tirana (Vienna flights on the board, 21–22 Oct 2026).

  • Austrian: help & contact (refunds and compensation)
  • Passenger rights
  • The help & contact page has a "Refunds and compensations" section, including compensation for flight changes made by the airline.
  • Austrian's passenger-rights page says compensation can be paid via the Austrian Prepaid Card.
  • Austria's Agency for Passenger Rights (apf), named on Austrian's passenger-rights page.

Source 1 · Source 2

Lufthansa (LH)

Serves: Tirana (Frankfurt and Munich flights on the board, 21–22 Oct 2026).

Source 1 · Source 2

SWISS (LX)

Serves: Tirana (Zurich flights on the board, 21–22 Oct 2026).

  • SWISS: application for compensation and reimbursement of expenses
  • You start by entering the booking details of the affected flight.
  • For hotel and meal costs SWISS asks for the hotel receipt, receipts for transport and meals, the booking or e-ticket number and your bank details (IBAN and BIC).
  • You can also post the claim to Swiss International Air Lines Ltd., Customer Feedback Services, P.O. Box, 8010 Zurich, Switzerland.
  • SWISS says that with a delay of 2 hours or more it gives a meal voucher via your boarding pass.

Source 1 · Source 2

Eurowings (EW)

Serves: Prishtina (Eurowings' own Frankfurt–Pristina and Stuttgart–Pristina pages, checked 21 Oct 2026).

  • Eurowings: claims & compensation
  • On its Compensation Claim website you enter the flight number and date, then the name, email and six-digit booking code from the confirmation. If the check passes, you add the account holder, IBAN and BIC for the payment.

Source 1 · Source 2

Edelweiss (WK)

Serves: Prishtina (Edelweiss's own Zurich–Pristina page, checked 21 Oct 2026).

Source 1

Wizz Air (W4 / W6 / W9)

Serves: Tirana (Wizz Air, Wizz Air Malta and Wizz Air UK flights on the board, 21–22 Oct 2026).

  • Wizz Air: claim submission
  • Fill in the claim form and pick the category carefully; Wizz says a wrong category can prolong the resolution time. You get a unique ID to quote, you can track the claim under "Your Claims" in your WIZZ account, and Wizz says it aims to process requests within 30 days.
  • Three Wizz airlines fly to Tirana, one of them UK-based, so check which one operated your flight: that affects whether EU or UK rules apply.

Source 1

Ryanair (FR / RK)

Serves: Tirana (Ryanair and Ryanair UK flights on the board, 21–22 Oct 2026).

Source 1 · Source 2

easyJet (U2)

Serves: Prishtina (easyJet's own Basel–Pristina page, checked 21 Oct 2026).

  • easyJet: Compensation Claims Portal
  • Notice of your rights
  • The portal asks for the booking reference (it starts with E or K), the flight number (EZY, EJU or EZS followed by numbers; you type the numbers) and the original flight date. Expense claims need fully itemised receipts, and easyJet says alcohol isn't reimbursed.
  • easyJet says unresolved complaints can go to AviationADR within 12 months of its final response.

Source 1 · Source 2

ITA Airways (AZ)

Serves: Tirana (Rome Fiumicino flights on the board, 21–22 Oct 2026).

  • ITA Airways: delays and cancellations
  • Send the compensation or expenses request through ITA's contact form; ITA says its team will contact you to confirm whether you're entitled. ITA notes that claim companies charge fees, while its own service is free.
  • No answer within two months, or not satisfied? ITA points you to the national enforcement body of the country where the disruption happened.

Source 1 · Source 2

British Airways (BA)

Serves: Tirana (London Heathrow flights on the board, 21–22 Oct 2026).

  • British Airways: complaints and claims
  • Start a new complaint or claim online for baggage, expenses or disruption compensation. BA asks you to have your case reference number to hand for follow-ups and not to open a second case.
  • A UK airline: UK261 covers its flights leaving the UK, and its flights into the UK or the EU.
  • BA says you can refer an unresolved complaint to CEDR within 12 months.

Source 1 · Source 2

AJet (VF)

Serves: Tirana (Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen flights on the board, 21–22 Oct 2026).

  • AJet: passenger rights
  • AJet passenger rights brochure (PDF)
  • AJet's brochure says to use the "Notification Form" in the Passenger Rights section of ajet.com, or to contact AJet by post or phone (+90 850 333 2538).
  • The brochure follows Turkey's SHY-YOLCU rules and says compensation is worked out in Turkish lira.
  • The brochure points to Turkey's civil aviation authority (shgm.gov.tr) for further information.

Source 1 · Source 2

SunExpress (XQ)

Serves: Tirana (Antalya flights on the board, 21–22 Oct 2026).

  • SunExpress: feedback and contact form
  • Passenger rights guide
  • On the contact form, pick "Flight Irregularities", then "Delayed Flight", "Denied Boarding / Missed Flight Connections" or "Flight Change/Cancellation". The same page has "My request status" for tracking.
  • SunExpress publishes separate passenger-rights brochures for the EU rules and for Turkey's SHY-YOLCU. Booked through a travel agency or tour operator? SunExpress asks you to contact them for changes and cancellations.

Source 1 · Source 2

Aegean Airlines (A3)

Serves: Tirana (Athens flights on the board, 21–22 Oct 2026).

  • Aegean: feedback & questions form
  • On Aegean's contact form, choose the category "Passenger rights (EC) 261/2004".
  • Greece's enforcement body is the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA). It asks you to contact the airline first, and to complain to it if the airline doesn't answer within a reasonable time.

Source 1 · Source 2 · Source 3

LOT Polish Airlines (LO)

Serves: Tirana (Warsaw Chopin flights on the board, 21–22 Oct 2026).

  • LOT: claim after departure
  • LOT's claim form asks for the booking or ticket number, flight number, date and cabin. Claiming for someone else needs a power of attorney. Claims can also go by post to LOT's Passenger Claims Section, 43 Komitetu Obrony Robotników St., 02-146 Warsaw.
  • LOT says it doesn't take part in out-of-court (ADR) dispute resolution.

Source 1 · Source 2

Transavia (HV / TO)

Serves: Tirana (Transavia from Amsterdam and Transavia France from Paris Orly on the board, 21–22 Oct 2026).

  • Transavia: submitting a claim
  • Compensation for a delayed flight
  • Use Transavia's contact form and choose the category "Flight disruptions". Have the flight number, flight date, booking number and any receipts ready. Transavia says this is also how to claim if you booked through a travel agency.
  • Transavia names the Dutch Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) as the body overseeing the rules in the Netherlands.

Source 1 · Source 2

airBaltic (BT)

Serves: Tirana (Riga flights on the board, 21–22 Oct 2026).

  • airBaltic: submit a claim
  • Passenger claims FAQ
  • Choose a subject and fill in airBaltic's claim form. airBaltic asks you to read its claims FAQ first: it lists the documents needed for flight irregularity (EU Regulation 261/2004) claims.

Source 1 · Source 2

Also on the Tirana board, but we found no dedicated claim page on their own websites (checked Oct 2026): Sky Express, Chair Airlines, flydubai. Use the rules above and the airline's general contact page.

A real example: our TK78 delay (still pending)

Bati, who runs this site, flies Orlando or Miami to Prishtina about four times a year with one connection. In 2026 his Turkish Airlines flight TK78 was delayed. Here's how the rules on this page applied, step by step.

  1. Which rule: Turkish Airlines is a Turkish airline, and SHY-YOLCU covers Turkish airlines on flights to and from Turkey. Since 10 Dec 2024 the regulation also gives compensation for technical or operational delays of 3 hours or more at the final destination.
  2. Which amount: SHY-YOLCU sets €600 for the longest international band, paid in Turkish lira at the Central Bank selling rate on the day of payment. A voucher instead of money needs the passenger's signed consent.
  3. Where to file: Turkish Airlines' own feedback form first (linked above).
  4. Status: Bati filed a €600 claim under SHY-YOLCU. It is still pending.
  5. If the airline doesn't settle it, the next step under SHGM's process is an application through kdmerp.shgm.gov.tr. We'll update this page with what happens.

Frequently asked questions

Does EU261 cover flights to Prishtina or Tirana?

Yes, if the flight leaves an EU airport (any airline). Kosovo and Albania aren't in the EU, so flights leaving Prishtina or Tirana are covered by each country's own copy of the rules instead: Kosovo's Regulation 2008/5 and Albania's Instruction no. 1/2013.

How late does my flight have to be to get compensation?

3 hours or more at your final destination under EU261, the Kosovo and Albanian rules, SHY-YOLCU and UK261, unless the airline proves extraordinary circumstances.

How much is the compensation?

Under EU261 and the copies of it: €250 up to 1,500 km, €400 for 1,500–3,500 km, €600 over 3,500 km. SHY-YOLCU pays the same three amounts on international flights (€100 domestic). UK261 pays £220, £350, or £260/£520 by distance and delay.

Is bad weather an extraordinary circumstance?

The EU lists adverse weather, air traffic management decisions, political instability and security risks as examples. Most technical problems found during maintenance, and strikes by the airline's own staff, are not.

How long do I have to report a damaged or delayed bag?

In writing, within 7 days of receiving a damaged checked bag and within 21 days for a delayed one, under the Montreal Convention. Court action must start within 2 years.

Can I claim under two sets of rules for the same flight?

The EU says its rules apply only if you haven't already received compensation, re-routing or assistance for that journey under a non-EU country's law.

Do I need a claims company?

No. Every airline listed here has its own free claim form. ITA Airways points out that claim companies charge fees for their service.

Sources

Checked 21 Oct 2026. Rules change; always confirm with the official source before you travel.

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