Originally Posted by
Aviatrix
It is my understanding that EC261/2004 covers all flights operated by EU carriers regardless of origin and destination.
Non-EU carriers are only covered when the point of origin is in the EU.
Recital 6 from the Regulation would not then make much sense
(6) The protection accorded to passengers departing from an airport located in a Member State should be extended to those leaving an airport located in a third country for one situated in a Member State, when a Community carrier operates the flight.
Article 3 Scope
Scope
1. This Regulation shall apply:
(a) to passengers departing from an airport located in the territory of a Member State to which the Treaty applies;
(b) to passengers departing from an airport located in a third country to an airport situated in the territory of a Member State to which the Treaty applies, unless they received benefits or compensation and were given assistance in that third country, if the operating air carrier of the flight concerned is a Community carrier.
The flight appears therefore to need to arrive in an EU state not just depart from a non-EU state