Ghana flight cancellation compensation: when you're owed money, and when you're not
What happens if my flight is cancelled in Ghana?
You are entitled to a choice between refund and rerouting, plus care (meals, hotel if needed). Compensation additionally applies unless the airline notified you early enough, or proves extraordinary circumstances. Applicable framework: GCAA Economic Directives 2019, Part 2 — Consumer Protection, Paragraph 2.5.
Legal status of the 2019 GCAA Consumer Protection Directives
The notice-period rules and compensation amounts below come from the GCAA Consumer Protection Directives published in June 2019, which reference the former Civil Aviation Act 678. Ghana has since enacted the Civil Aviation Act 2024 (Act 1120). Nothing publicly available indicates these rules have been revised since — but verify with the GCAA (gcaa.com.gh) before relying on a specific figure.
When am I NOT entitled to compensation for a cancelled flight?
The GCAA Directives define a "cancelled flight" as one that was not operated but was listed in the carrier's reservation system within 7 calendar days of scheduled departure. Compensation is not owed if:
International flights
- You were informed at least 2 weeks before scheduled departure; or
- You were informed 2 weeks to 7 days before departure and offered rerouting departing no more than 2 hours early and arriving within 4 hours of the original schedule; or
- You were informed less than 7 days before departure and offered rerouting departing no more than 1 hour early and arriving within 2 hours of the original schedule.
Domestic flights
- You were informed at least 3 days before scheduled departure; or
- You were informed within 3 days of departure and offered rerouting departing no more than 2 hours early and arriving within 90 minutes of the original schedule.
When AM I entitled to compensation?
If none of the notice/rerouting exceptions above apply, you're entitled to the same compensation table as denied boarding:
| Flight type | Compensation |
|---|---|
| Domestic flight | US$60 |
| International, up to 1,500 km | US$200 |
| International, 1,500-3,500 km | US$400 |
| International, over 3,500 km | US$600 |
Source: GCAA Economic Directives 2019, Part 2 — Consumer Protection. See our Ghana denied boarding guide for the full compensation rules, which apply identically here.
What is the "extraordinary circumstances" exception?
An airline is not obliged to pay compensation if it proves the cancellation was caused by "extraordinary circumstances which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken" — the same standard used under EU261. The burden of proof rests with the airline, not the passenger, including the questions of whether and when you were actually informed of the cancellation. Extraordinary circumstances do not remove your right to care (meals, hotel) — only to the cash compensation.
What must the airline offer regardless of the reason for cancellation?
- Choice between refund and rerouting: full refund within 7 days, immediate rerouting, or rerouting at a later date of your choosing (subject to seat availability).
- An explanation of possible alternative transport when you're informed of the cancellation.
- Care (meals, hotel if an overnight stay is needed, transport, two free calls/emails) if the rerouting means a new departure at least the day after the original one.