Thursday 12 February 2009 - Evening Standard

Airlines face glut of claims after European ruling

Evening Standard

Terry Kirby

12.02.09

Airlines are bracing themselves for meeting a large number of compensation claims from passengers who have suffered cancelled flights due to "technical reasons", following a European Court ruling.

Lawyers representing aggrieved passengers are hailing the ruling as a landmark because it largely removes the ability of airlines to routinely cite "extraordinary circumstances" as a reason for refusing even small compensation claims.

British Airways has confirmed that, as a result, it has now settled a small number of claims from passengers who took legal action over delayed or cancelled flights. The settlements are believed to average £388 for each passenger...