"Regulation 261 doesn't apply to Schedule Changes ... yet. But the EC is thinking about it."
Great in theory - but almost impossible to enforce without a court order. The burden of proof is almost impossible to obtain by a regular punter.
Two changes I would make:
1) Remove the "beyond the airlines control" clause to make it effective on any delay. Airlines should be made to insure against this eventuality by the regulator so there is no disincentive to fly with safety problems.
2) Introduce a tier system of payments that increase with length of delay to encourage airlines to put on extra "rescue flights" to prevent punters being stranded for weeks at some remote outpost.
Outside of the scope of the regulation:
Give teeth to the local regulator to implement a standard procedure for claims to prevent the necessity to go to court. (I do understand that this is out of scope for the EU regulation)
Work with insurers to create a product that an individual can purchase that covers the typical low cost "on your own" issues. They simply do not exist!
Smala01