Last week the European Court of Justice dismissed a legal challenge to EU rules covering compensation to passengers who are denied boarding (i.e., are left stranded) or whose flights are cancelled and denied. The court did this through a preliminary ruling.

EU air carriers say this decision will cause the sector some €600 million each year. It is estimated that passengers who will not be allowed to fly will have a right to compensation.

Airlines have complained that delays could be caused by events beyond their control, such as bad weather and strikes by air traffic controllers.

The case before the court was started by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the European Low Fares Airlines Associations (ELFAA). Both organisations can lobby the European Commission to change the law.

The EU's air passenger rights came into effect last February. Passengers whose flight is cancelled are eligible to full compensation for the air fare and they have a right to compensation for food, hotels and free transport back home.

Airlines do not have to pay compensation in the case of the cancellation of flights for safety reasons. The law's wording is highly ambiguous and airlines have used this to deny passengers their compensation.