Airlines to learn likely fate of challenge

AIRLINES including Aer Lingus and Ryanair will find out this week if they are likely to be successful in overturning new EU legislation that forces them to pay improved compensation to disgruntled passengers.

The European Court of Justice will give a preliminary ruling on Thursday in a challenge brought by airlines against an EU compensation scheme for passengers who experience delays, cancellations and overbooking on flights.

The regulation, which came into effect on February 17, gives airline customers an improved legal entitlement to financial compensation, re-routing, meals and accommodation.