Article 4 — Denied boarding
Air passenger rights, Regulation (EC) No 261/2004
What does Regulation 261/2004 Article 4 say?
Short answer, straight from the official text
1. When an operating air carrier reasonably expects to deny boarding on a flight, it shall first call for volunteers to surrender their reservations in exchange for benefits under conditions to be agreed between the passenger concerned and the operating air carrier.
Source: Air passenger rights, Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, read 2026-10-14.
| In the act | EU 261/2004 |
| CELEX | 32004R0261 |
| Read on | 2026-10-14 |
Official text
Read from the EU Publications Office for this CELEX number. The wording stands as published; nothing here is rewritten or summarised.
Jump to a point: Point 1 · Point 2 · Point 3
1. When an operating air carrier reasonably expects to deny boarding on a flight, it shall first call for volunteers to surrender their reservations in exchange for benefits under conditions to be agreed between the passenger concerned and the operating air carrier. Volunteers shall be assisted in accordance with Article 8, such assistance being additional to the benefits mentioned in this paragraph.
2. If an insufficient number of volunteers comes forward to allow the remaining passengers with reservations to board the flight, the operating air carrier may then deny boarding to passengers against their will.
3. If boarding is denied to passengers against their will, the operating air carrier shall immediately compensate them in accordance with Article 7 and assist them in accordance with Articles 8 and 9.
The text is quoted from the official source and is not legal advice. A national court reads the language version that binds in its jurisdiction.
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