Mark in CA - Thanks for the heads-up, that decision is exactly what I needed. I have been fighting a ME airline for over a year, over that precise definition.
The flight left ATH 3 hrs late in August 2013 for CAI, and according to the airlines claim, made up time in flight, and "landed" at CAI 6 mins before the 3 hr EU261/2004 "flight delay" time limit expired.
However, it took more than 6 mins before we were free to disembark.
The airline is stonewalling us, it cost us over EGP£1900 EACH to rebook our missed connection - not to mention the overnight stay in CAI airport, because the airline in question refused any assistance whatsoever.
I don't know where to go next, as this airline has no intention of even talking to us.