Airline passengers can claim EU compensation for delayed connecting flights outside Europe

Passengers whose onward connections outside Europe are delayed or cancelled can claim EU compensation, according to a landmark ruling. The European Court of Justice has ruled that a German passenger delayed on a connecting flight in Morocco should qualify for a E400 payout. In another blow to airlines, who feel the rules are unfairly slanted in favour of travellers, the ruling allows retrospective claims – in the case of England and Wales, for flights up to 6 years ago. The airline rejected the claim in the ruling, saying the change in aircraft for the connecting flight signalled a separate journey, and as it began outside the EU and was on a non-European airline no compensation was payable. The judges decided a change of aircraft has no impact on passengers’ right to claim. <br/>