Finnish consumers are gaining more rights involving flight delays.

A European Court of Justice ruling signifies an improvement in European flight passengers’ consumer rights, the Tampere-based daily Aamulehti reports.

“FLIGHT passengers’ consumer rights are improving in Europe. On 19 November the European Court of Justice (ECJ) gave a ruling in which flight passengers are entitled to receive monetary compensation from the airline after a three-hour flight delay.

The sum would be between 250 and 600 euros.

Until now, Finnish consumers haven’t had the chance to receive monetary compensation for flight delays. Only after a five-hour delay have airliners had to refund the price of the ticket.

In its decision the Court ruled on when a delay turns into a cancelled flight. According to the ECJ passengers can only be reimbursed for cancellation if the original flight is replaced by a new one.

Chairman Pauli Ståhlberg of the Consumer Disputes Board regards the ruling as a step in the right direction. ‘Until now airliners have considered that the flight is not cancelled so long as it’s flown at some time.’”

AAMULEHTI 20 November. JUHA KARILAINEN
Lehtikuva - Kimmo Mäntylä