If your flight is delayed, cancelled, or overbooked, you may be entitled to compensation, but the amount you receive can depend on which regulation applies to your journey. In Europe, passenger rights are governed by EU Regulation 261/2004, while flights connected to Turkey fall under the SHY Passenger Regulation.

Although both laws offer similar protections, their flight compensation amounts and rules are not always identical. In this guide, we’ll compare SHY and EU261 compensation side by side, so you can understand how much you may be entitled to and which regulation applies to your flight.

1. What Is the SHY Passenger Regulation?

The SHY Passenger Regulation is Turkey’s main law that protects airline passengers when flights are disrupted. It sets clear rules that airlines must follow to provide compensation and assistance when things go wrong.

SHY applies to the following flights:

• Flights departing from Turkey, regardless of the airline
• Flights arriving in Turkey on Turkish airlines
• Domestic flights within Turkey

This means both international and domestic passengers can be covered, depending on the route and airline.

The regulation covers the most common types of disruptions, including:

• Flight delays (typically 3 hours or more at arrival)
• Flight cancellations, especially at short notice
• Denied boarding due to overbooking

In these situations, passengers may be entitled to financial compensation, refunds, and care, such as meals, accommodation, and alternative travel arrangements.

3. What Is EU261 Regulation?

EU Regulation 261/2004 (commonly known as EU261) is a European law that protects air passengers when flights are delayed, cancelled, or overbooked. It establishes clear rules requiring airlines to provide compensation, refunds, and assistance when disruptions occur and the airline is responsible.

EU261 applies to:

• Flights departing from any airport in the EU, regardless of the airline
• Flights arriving in the EU operated by an EU-based airline

This means passengers traveling within Europe or on certain international routes may be covered, depending on the airline and departure location.

One of the key strengths of EU261 is its well-developed legal framework. Over the years, it has been clarified and strengthened by numerous rulings from the Court of Justice of the European Union. These decisions have helped define important concepts—such as what counts as a delay, when compensation applies, and how “extraordinary circumstances” should be interpreted.

As a result, EU261 is considered one of the strongest and most consistently enforced passenger rights laws in the world, giving travelers a high level of protection and clearer guidance when making claims.

4. SHY vs EU261 Compensation Amounts (Side-by-Side)

Both the SHY Passenger Regulation and EU Regulation 261/2004 offer fixed compensation amounts based on flight distance, making it relatively easy for passengers to understand what they can claim.

While the two systems are very similar, there are a few important differences—especially for domestic flights in Turkey.

SHY vs EU261 Compensation Amounts Table

Flight Distance	SHY Compensation	EU261 Compensation
Domestic flights	€100	€250 (typical short-haul)
Up to 1,500 km	€250	€250
1,500–3,500 km	€400	€400
Over 3,500 km	€600	€600

Key takeaway:

• Both systems use distance as the main factor.
• Compensation is not based on ticket price but on how far you were traveling.
• SHY and EU261 compensation amounts are almost the same, with the main difference being lower compensation for domestic flights in Turkey.
• Payments may differ in currency. Under SHY, compensation is usually paid in Turkish Lira equivalent, while EU261 compensation is paid in euros.

Important Note: In both systems, the full compensation amount is not always guaranteed. It may be reduced (for example, by 50%) if the delay is relatively short on long-haul flights.

5. Key Differences in Compensation Rules

While the SHY Passenger Regulation and EU Regulation 261/2004 are very similar, there are a few important differences:

• Domestic flights: SHY provides €100 for domestic flights within Turkey, while EU261 typically starts at €250. This means SHY has a lower compensation tier for domestic routes.
• Currency of payment: SHY compensation is usually paid in Turkish Lira equivalent, whereas EU261 compensation is paid directly in euros (€). As a result, SHY payouts may vary slightly depending on exchange rates.

6. When Compensation Applies (SHY vs EU261)

Both the SHY Passenger Regulation and EU Regulation 261/2004 provide compensation in very similar situations. However, eligibility depends on specific conditions being met.

SHY vs EU261 Eligibility Comparison

Situation	SHY	EU261
Delay of 3+ hours at arrival	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Flight cancelled at short notice	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Denied boarding (overbooking)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

Key Conditions

To qualify for compensation under both regulations:

• The disruption must be the airline’s responsibility
• The issue must not be caused by extraordinary circumstances

Examples of Eligible Situations

• Technical problems with the aircraft
• Airline operational issues
• Crew shortages
• Airline staff strikes

Examples of Non-Eligible Situations

• Severe weather conditions
• Air traffic control restrictions
• Airport closures
• Political or security issues

7. Extraordinary Circumstances Comparison

Both the SHY Passenger Regulation and EU Regulation 261/2004 exclude compensation when the disruption is caused by extraordinary circumstances (events outside the airline’s control).

Common Examples (Both Regulations)

• Severe weather conditions
• Air traffic control restrictions
• Airport closures
• Political instability or security risks

Key Differences

• EU261: Has a more developed legal framework, with clear definitions shaped by court rulings (especially from the Court of Justice of the EU). This makes it easier to determine what qualifies as “extraordinary.”
• SHY: Follows similar principles but has less detailed case law, which can sometimes lead to more interpretation and inconsistency in how claims are handled.

8. Which Regulation Applies to Your Flight?

8. Which Regulation Applies to Your Flight?

Whether your flight is covered by the SHY Passenger Regulation or EU Regulation 261/2004 depends mainly on where your flight departs from and which airline operates it.

Simple Rule to Remember

• Departing from Turkey → SHY applies (any airline)
• Departing from the EU → EU261 applies (any airline)
• Arriving in the EU → EU261 applies only if the airline is EU-based
• Arriving in Turkey → SHY applies only if the airline is Turkish

Examples

• Istanbul → Paris → SHY applies
• Paris → Istanbul (EU airline) → EU261 applies
• Paris → Istanbul (Turkish airline) → SHY applies
• Istanbul → London (EU airline) → SHY applies
• Berlin → Antalya (Turkish airline) → SHY applies
• Ankara → Istanbul → Rome (single booking) → SHY applies (journey starts in Turkey)

9. Can Both SHY and EU261 Apply?

In some cases, both the SHY Passenger Regulation and EU Regulation 261/2004 may appear to apply to the same flight—especially on routes between Turkey and the EU.

When Overlap Can Happen?

This typically occurs when a flight:

• Departs from the EU to Turkey, or
• Connects between the EU and Turkey,
  and involves an airline that could fall under either regulation depending on the route.

How It Works in Practice?

Even if both regulations seem relevant, you cannot claim compensation twice for the same disruption. Instead, you must rely on the regulation that legally applies to your flight.

Which one applies depends on:

• Departure airport (EU or Turkey)
• Airline nationality (EU or Turkish airline)
• Type of flight (single booking vs separate tickets)

Examples

• Paris → Istanbul (EU airline) → EU261 applies
• Paris → Istanbul (Turkish airline) → SHY applies
• Istanbul → Berlin (any airline) → SHY applies

Which One Should You Use?

In overlapping situations, it’s best to:

• Identify which regulation legally covers your flight, and
• Choose the one that gives you the strongest protection or clearer claim path