Airlines warned over strikes

Airlines have been told they must compensate passengers for long flight delays caused by staff staging sudden 'wildcat' strikes. The ruling by the European Court of Justice could lead to carriers paying out tens of millions more compensation a year.

The court said wildcat strikes should not be classed as extraordinary circumstances and used as an excuse by airlines to avoid paying passengers compensation due under regulation EU261.

Judges were asked to rule whether German airline TUIFly was right to deny passengers compensation for delays in October 2016 after flight crew objecting to a company restructure suddenly placed themselves on sick leave. The ruling applies throughout the EU, including the UK.

Specialist legal firm Bott & Co said: "This victory for passengers opens the door for millions of pounds in compensation to be paid to UK passengers … many claims have been previously denied on the grounds of extraordinary circumstances."

Solicitor Coby Benson added that airlines had long argued staff strikes were an extraordinary circumstance, but the judgment confirmed airlines had to provide monetary compensation to passengers whose travel plans were severely disrupted.

www.curia.europa.eu

www.bottonline.co.uk

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