Air delay compensation comes a step nearer
17 February 2010
Transport ministry officials have been given four weeks to draw up suggestions for compensating passenger whose flights are delayed by at least three hours.
The compensation may be payable on flights dating back to 2005, the Financieele Dagblad reports.
Last November, the European court of justice ruled passengers have the right to compensation when their flights are delayed for three hours. It did not rule out backdating the payment, opening the door for retroactive claims.
Airlines fear the measures will lead to a large bill, especially if payments can be backdated.
Last week, European aviation officials failed to reach a common EU approach to the problem. Transport minister Camiel Eurlings say he has now asked the head of the air traffic inspectorate to come up with proposals to reflect the court's ruling.
'Airlines are very concerned about the cost of the measure,' Eurlings said in a note to MPs. 'I can understand that. Costs and security play a role. The increase in costs will be passed on to consumers. That is the down side.'
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