Court to hear test case in passenger compensation row
A court case that will decide whether airlines can avoid compensating passengers for delays caused by a technical fault will be heard today.
The outcome of the Court of Appeal hearing between passenger Ronald Huzar and Jet2.com could affect thousands of passengers whose claims for delays have been rejected by airlines claiming that technical faults are considered extraordinary circumstances and as such exempt from compensation under Article 5 of EU regulation 261.
Mr Huzar’s flight from Malaga to Manchester in October 2011 was delayed for 27 hours after the inbound Jet2 flight suffered a technical fault which couldn’t immediately be repaired so a replacement aircraft had to be brought from Glasgow.
Mr Huzar started legal proceedings against the airline after it rejected his claim for compensation, claiming the delay was caused by an extraordinary circumstance, and although he lost his case at Stockport Country Court he won on appeal at Manchester County Court in October last year.
However, the airline was granted permission to appeal and it is this hearing that will be held today.
Mr Huzar’s solicitors Bott & Co said the hearing will clarify whether passengers can claim compensation for delays caused by technical faults. It said the judgement would set a binding precedent for all lower courts in the country.
The case is expected to last a day.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025