Flight delay court boost

PASSENGERS whose flights are delayed or cancelled due to sudden strikes by airline staff should now be able to claim compensation, following a ruling by the European Court of Justice.

Previously, airlines have denied payouts to passengers on the basis that so- called ‘ wildcat’ strikes come under the definition of ‘extraordinary circumstances’, which they do not have to cover.

Coby Benson, a solicitor at Bott & Co, says the decision against TUI fly in Germany means anyone who has had a flight in the past six years into or out of a European airport that was delayed by more than three hours or cancelled due to last-minute strikes can claim compensation of up to £530.

A spokesman for TUI fly says they are surprised by the ruling and compensation will depend on the nature of the strike.