Airlines to face legal challenge on compensation

THE growing use by airlines of an “extraordinary circumstances” clause to avoid compensating passengers for cancelled or delayed flights faces a legal challenge this week.

The case, which will be heard before the European Court of Justice, comes as the European Commission and consumer groups across the EU believe most airlines now invoke the clause when problems arise, regardless of the true cause for any delay or cancellation.

EU officials suspect airlines are citing “technical problems” to get around paying compensation and providing food, drink and accommodation to stranded passengers since the introduction of legislation giving improved rights to air passengers two years ago.