Flying to Kathmandu via Doha, Dubai or Delhi? When EU261 still pays you

Trek Guide One booking from an EU airport is covered all the way to Kathmandu, even on a Gulf airline’s leg, usually for €600. The flight home is not. By Anjali Shrestha · Oct 2, 2026 Read the full story

If you fly to Kathmandu from an EU airport on one booking, EU flight-delay rules cover the whole journey, even when the delay happens on a non-EU airline's leg from Doha, Dubai, Istanbul or Delhi. The EU's Court of Justice settled that in 2018, and because… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News Read the full story

When EU261 covers a flight to Kathmandu

Whenever the journey starts at an EU airport and is booked as one reservation. EU Regulation 261/2004 applies to every flight departing from an EU airport, whatever the airline. In Wegener v Royal Air Maroc (case C-537/17, 2018) the Court of Justice ruled… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News Read the full story

How much you can claim

Usually &euro;600, because the distance is measured from your first airport to Kathmandu. In Bossen (case C-559/16, 2017) the court ruled that compensation is based on the straight-line distance between the first departure airport and the final destination… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News Read the full story

When a code-share partner causes the delay

The European airline that flew the first leg pays, and recovers the money from its partner itself. In Česk&eacute; aerolinie (case C-502/18, 2019), passengers booked Prague to Bangkok via Abu Dhabi on one reservation with the Czech airline; the second leg… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News Read the full story

The flight home is the gap

A flight from Kathmandu back to Europe on a non-EU airline is not covered by EU261 or UK261. The rules protect flights arriving in the EU or UK only when an EU or UK airline operates them, and no EU airline flies to Kathmandu as far as we know. For the… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News Read the full story

What to do if your Kathmandu flight goes wrong

Keep the evidence and claim from the airline that flew you out of Europe. Screenshot the delay or cancellation notice with its stated reason, note your actual arrival time at Kathmandu, and keep receipts for meals and hotels. Claim directly with the airline… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News Read the full story

Frequently asked questions

Yes, if the journey starts at an EU airport and is booked as one reservation, whatever the airline. The EU's Court of Justice ruled in 2018 (case C-537/17) that such a journey is covered as a whole, including legs outside the EU. Only if an EU airline… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News Read the full story

Keep reading

EU, UK and US rules side by side. When the airline must rebook you elsewhere. Which cards get you in, and the hours. Routes, visas and what to hand over on arrival. Sources: Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, articles 3, 5, 6 and 7; Court of Justice of the EU… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News Read the full story

Trek Nepal with local guides

Plan your trek NMA-certified guides · permits sorted · 5,000+ treks since 1998. Plan this trek

Get the free Nepal Trek Insider Guide

Free guide Permits, costs, seasons and routes — the essentials we send every traveller, plus a free, no-obligation trip quote. ↑ Swipe up Read the full report and grab the free Nepal Trek Insider Guide — or ask our Pokhara team for a tailored, no-obligation quote. Read more & get the free guide Plan my trip — free quote