EU setback to airlines' passenger compensation complaints

European airlines today received a setback in their efforts to overturn new rules forcing them to pay more compensation to passengers whose flights are overbooked, delayed or cancelled.

A senior adviser to the European Union’s high court ruled the regulations are in line with EU law.

Advocate General Leendert Geelhood recommended the European Court of Justice dismiss the complaints brought by the International Air Transport Association and the European Low Fares Airline Association.

The airlines say the rules will cost them hundreds of millions of euros, claim they infringe international agreements and give unfair advantages to other forms of transport.