EU261 · enforcement
Claiming against an airline in France
The compensation rules are identical across the EU — that is the point of a Regulation. What changes at the border is the deadline, the regulator and the court.
Time limit
5 years
Code civil art. 2224
Court route
Tribunal de proximité
Used only after the airline and the regulator.
Five-year general civil period applies to compensation claims.
The order to do it in
- Write to the airline, quoting Article 7 and the flight. Free.
- Wait 28 days.
- Complain to DGAC — Direction générale de l'Aviation civile if refused. Still free.
- Tribunal de proximité if that fails.
- A claims service only once the free routes are exhausted.
Questions
How long do I have to claim flight compensation in France?
5 years. Code civil art. 2224.
Who enforces air passenger rights in France?
DGAC — Direction générale de l'Aviation civile. Complaining to them is free and does not stop you going to court afterwards.
Which court hears flight compensation claims in France?
Tribunal de proximité.