Air Antilles Cancelled Flight - can I claim compensation?

Sauropod8

Hi there.

I was due to fly Air Antilles from Dominica to Guadeloupe, but my flight was cancelled after I had checked in at the airport.
Departure time was meant to be 17:45, arriving at 18:15.
I had onward flights to Paris and London booked for 20:30 from Guadeloupe, which I then missed.

Timeline: Arrived at airport in Dominica.
Flight before mine was cancelled.
I was allowed to check in with 5 other passengers, 1.5hrs before the flight departure time.
Sat in departure area for 2.5hrs.
Announcement that our flight was cancelled. They told us mechanical fault.
Air Antilles put us up in a hotel overnight, including dinner, breakfast, lunch and transport.
Us 6 passengers were rescheduled onto the flight the next day at 18:30, due to arrive 19:00.
This rescheduled flight was also delayed by 30 minutes.
Arrived in Guadeloupe at 19:30.

So, my question is...

can I claim compensation from Air Antilles for a cancelled flight?

As far as I can tell, there is an EU law for flight compensation. Technically, Air Antilles is registered in Guadeloupe which is a French territory and part of the EU. My flight was from non-EU to an EU destination (Guadeloupe).
I know Air Antilles provided us with transport, food and hotel, and booked us on to the next flight for no additional cost - does this void any compensation claim?

The rescheduled flight they booked us on the next day actually arrived over 24hrs later than the cancelled flight. If the EU law applies, this might mean I am due compensation. 

Furthermore, Air Antilles cancellation meant I missed my onward flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle and London Heathrow. I allowed 2.5hrs connection time for this, so it should have been sufficient. 
I was luckily able to get on another flight the next day, however my route was changed to Paris Orly, and I then had to cross Paris to get to CDG for my onward flight to Heathrow. 

It was very stressful! 

If anyone can shed any light on if I have any claim to compensation, I'd really appreciate it as I am confused in this situation!

Thanks

[Deleted User]

The EU compensation is on top of what assistance they gave you. Your issue will be claiming is, as now we are out of the EU if they refuse it's difficult to chase them for it. Best thing is to start by just asking for it.

macman

OP is fully entitled to compo under EU law, this applies wherever they are resident, in or outside the EU. 
Whatever assistance was offered 'on site' does not affect the claim. 
It'll be 400 or 600 Euros, depending on the flight distance.
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/passenger-rights/air/index_en.htm#compensation-cancellation-1

Sauropod8

Thankyou both for responding. 
I have emailed Air Antilles customer service - although this is an online form where I had to type my message to outline the above and say I should get compensation (feel like I'm begging them).

It says "we strive to respond with 2 months"! How infuriating. When I had an easyjet flight cancelled previously it was all straightforward and compensation came in 30 days. 

Alan_Bowen

If the flight was booked separately and not part of a through ticket the maximum compensation will be based on the 30-minute flight, which will be 250 Euros only. This is a tiny airline known locally as  the 'maybe airline', their booking conditions make no mention of EU261 so I wouldn't get your hopes up that they will even respond to you

Sauropod8

Alan_Bowen said:

If the flight was booked separately and not part of a through ticket the maximum compensation will be based on the 30-minute flight, which will be 250 Euros only. This is a tiny airline known locally as  the 'maybe airline', their booking conditions make no mention of EU261 so I wouldn't get your hopes up that they will even respond to you

Yes, I don't have much hope that they will even reply to me. Worth trying I suppose, and I did wonder if I have a leg to stand on compensation-wise. Thanks for taking time to respond to me!

[Deleted User]

macman said:

OP is fully entitled to compo under EU law, this applies wherever they are resident, in or outside the EU. 
Whatever assistance was offered 'on site' does not affect the claim. 
It'll be 400 or 600 Euros, depending on the flight distance.
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/passenger-rights/air/index_en.htm#compensation-cancellation-1

Yeah, but if they just say "no" what are you going to do about it? Options for forcing them to pay are much more limited now. Airlines know this.