Five airlines that have refused to pay compensation to passengers who have missed connecting flights because of delays. The five have been warned of legal action by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority, under EU rules.
All five are based outside the EU, but under European rules, the penalties and compensation apply to all flights to and from Europe as well as internal flights, no matter where the airline’s home is. The warnings went to American, Etihad, Emirates, Singapore and Turkish. Authorities are also looking into practices of Vueling, a British Air affiliate.
Under the rules, passengers arriving at their final destination more than three hours late are entitled to compensation of €4-600 depending on the length of the trip, except in extraordinary circumstances, such as weather.
In the cases involved, passengers arrived less than three hours late on the first leg of the journey, but late enough to miss their connections, and therefore arrive more hours late at their final destinations. The five airlines have admitted that they refuse compensation, claiming that only the first leg counts, and not its consequences.
