Three Hour Flight Delay Could Warrant Compensation

A ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) today could mean flyers are eligible for compensation if their flight is delayed by over three hours.

The Luxembourg-based court found today that it is unfair to treat passengers suffering significant delays differently to those who had their flights cancelled.

Extant EU rules say passengers on cancelled flights are eligible to up to €600 in compensation, with airlines only exempt in "exceptional circumstances" that are outside the company’s control.

Fine Gael MEP Jim Higgins, who is Ireland's representative on the European Transport Committee, said the ruling was "a victory for the ordinary travelling public".

"I am delighted that the ECJ has taken a very logical and reasoned approach to this issue. Passengers who are delayed by three or more hours are usually seriously inconvenienced. It is about time that the rights which exist for passengers, whose flights are cancelled, are extended to delayed flights," the minister said.

According to consumer website Moneysavingexpert.com, airlines will be required to provide free meals, drinks and two phone calls, emails, telexes or faxes to all passengers on flights subject to long hold-ups.

To qualify for the assistance, passengers must experience delays of 2 hours for flights up to 1,500km, 3 hours for journeys between 1,500 and 3,500 km, and at least 4 hour delays for flights over 3,500km.

Postponements of longer than 5 hours will also make passengers eligible for reimbursement of the ticket (if they decide not to travel), and if it continues into the night, hotel rooms, and transfer to it, must also be provided by the carrier.

(DW/GK)