EU weather delay compensation may create more claims

Recent changes that hold airlines responsible for compensating passengers may result in more claims, experts have said.

Travel Insurance News - 07/02/2013

<< European officials again rule in favour of air travellers | Travel News | US blizzard brings flights to a halt >>

Recent changes that hold airlines responsible for compensating passengers may result in more claims, experts have said.

The news follows a European Court of Justice ruling last week that required travel operator Thomas Cook to compensate a British couple after the pair was stuck for more than 22 hours amid bad weather conditions. According to officials from the UK Civil Aviation Authority, the victory is the first of its kind in Britain.

The airline is now required to pay the pair £687 in accordance with the couple’s successful lawsuit. Moreover, airlines will now be responsible for compensating most passengers for most disruptions of more than three hours, despite the fact that they claim many of such instances are out of their control.

Now, experts are saying that the couple’s payout and several similar cases in Europe are likely to spark a rise in the number of claims.

Meanwhile, consumer groups have since praised the ruling, saying that the move will mean that it will help to ensure that flying customers are treated fairly.

<< European officials again rule in favour of air travellers | Travel News | US blizzard brings flights to a halt >>