Romanian entrepreneur Irina Ciochiu has launched a free 15-minute passenger rights checklist to help travelers across Europe navigate flight delays, cancellations, and compensation claims. The checklist, titled the “EU261 Flight Disruption Quick-Start Checklist,” provides practical actions travelers can take immediately after a disruption.

Understanding Passenger Rights

Ciochiu, the founder and CEO of FlightHelp, says many passengers lose potential compensation because they do not know what information to save or what steps to take early in the process. The checklist is designed to simplify those first important steps and help passengers better understand their rights following flight disruptions.

The release of the checklist comes as European air traffic continues to rise, with more than 30 million passengers across Europe potentially qualifying for compensation each year under EU261. However, fewer than 40% of eligible passengers ever file a claim, with many abandoning their claims after airlines cite “extraordinary circumstances.”

Ciochiu notes that airlines rarely provide passengers with detailed written explanations about the operational reasons behind disruptions, making professional guidance extremely important in many cases. The checklist reflects the same practical, systems-based approach that has shaped FlightHelp’s work across Europe.

Using the Checklist

The free checklist is designed to be completed quickly after a disruption and includes information on what documents to save, how to track delay timing, and what passengers should avoid saying or agreeing to too early. By taking these steps early, passengers can significantly improve their ability to understand and evaluate their rights later.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.