Brits among thousands of Málaga passengers who could claim hundreds of euros after summer flight delays

Passengers who experienced significant delays at Málaga this summer may still be eligible for compensation, with AirHelp estimating 42,200 passengers qualify between July and September. The figure counts delays as short as 15 minutes, but under Spain’s rules payouts only start if the arrival delay is three hours or more—meaning the actual number of claimants could be lower. Compensation levels depend on flight distance: €250 for routes under 1,500 km, €400 for 1,500 to 3,500 km, and €600 for longer flights, according to Spain’s aviation safety agency (AESA). Airlines can refuse payment for “extraordinary circumstances” such as severe weather, certain strikes, or air-traffic restrictions, but must substantiate the cause. Meals and drinks are still required, and hotels may be covered if an overnight stay is needed. New EU passenger-rights rules approved in July won’t apply until 2027.