Air Passengers Rights‘ Regulation Rights – Problems – Solutions Klaus Tonner Professor for Private Law and European Law University of Rostock IFTTA Europe Palma de Mallorca 1-3 April 2009

Tonner, Air Passengers´ Rights Rights Rights - right to compensation - right to compensation - - for denied boarding and cancellation, not for delay - - for denied boarding and cancellation, not for delay - right to re-imbursement or re-routing - right to re-imbursement or re-routing - right to care - right to care

Tonner, Air Passengers´ Rights Problems Problems Concept of flight Concept of flight Distinction between cancellation and delay Distinction between cancellation and delay Denied boarding Denied boarding The excuse of extraordinary circumstances The excuse of extraordinary circumstances

Tonner, Air Passengers´ Rights Problem 1: Concept of flights Problem 1: Concept of flights Is an outward and return flight, booked with a non EU carrier, outward flight starting within the EU, return flight starting outside the EU, under the scope of the Regulation? Is an outward and return flight, booked with a non EU carrier, outward flight starting within the EU, return flight starting outside the EU, under the scope of the Regulation? Possible answer: yes, an outward and return flight is a „round trip“ according to the Montreal Convention, this is to say one flight. Possible answer: yes, an outward and return flight is a „round trip“ according to the Montreal Convention, this is to say one flight.

Tonner, Air Passengers‘ Rights But: ECJ – C-173/07, Emirates v Schenkel: no, different concepts of flight in the Montreal Convention and in the Regulation But: ECJ – C-173/07, Emirates v Schenkel: no, different concepts of flight in the Montreal Convention and in the Regulation Solution 1: outward and return flights are two flights Solution 1: outward and return flights are two flights

Tonner, Air Passengers‘ Rights Emirates cont. Emirates cont. Reasons why a flight is only a single flight: Reasons why a flight is only a single flight: - the Reg. distinguishes departing from an airport located in a member state and from an airport located in a non member state - the Reg. distinguishes departing from an airport located in a member state and from an airport located in a non member state - The Reg. expressly refers to the term of „return flight“ - The Reg. expressly refers to the term of „return flight“ - The Reg. distinguishes between point of departure and final destination which are not the same - The Reg. distinguishes between point of departure and final destination which are not the same

Tonner, Air Passengers‘ Rights Relevance of the Montreal Convention Relevance of the Montreal Convention - the term of flight does not appear in the Convention - the term of flight does not appear in the Convention The concept of the Convention is a concept of „journey“ The concept of the Convention is a concept of „journey“

Tonner, Air Passengers`Rights Problem 2: Distinction between cancellation and delay Problem 2: Distinction between cancellation and delay When does a „delay“ become a „cancellation“? When does a „delay“ become a „cancellation“? Not yet answered by the ECJ, but three cases pending: Not yet answered by the ECJ, but three cases pending: - C-402/07, Sturgeon v Condor, reference for a preliminary ruling of the Bundesgerichtshof, asking: Is it decisive for a „cancellation“ that the original flight planning is abandoned, and if not, in what circumstances is a delay no longer to be regarded as a delay, but as a cancellation? - C-402/07, Sturgeon v Condor, reference for a preliminary ruling of the Bundesgerichtshof, asking: Is it decisive for a „cancellation“ that the original flight planning is abandoned, and if not, in what circumstances is a delay no longer to be regarded as a delay, but as a cancellation?

Tonner, Air Passenegers`Rights Delay/cancellation cont. Delay/cancellation cont. - C-432/07 Böck v Air France - C-432/07 Böck v Air France Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Handelsgericht Wien, asking Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Handelsgericht Wien, asking Is a 22-hour delay still a „delay“? Does the change of the flight number play a role? Is a 22-hour delay still a „delay“? Does the change of the flight number play a role?

Tonner, Air Passengers`Rights Denied boarding Denied boarding - C-525/08 Bienek v Condor - C-525/08 Bienek v Condor Reference from the Bundesgerichtshof asking Reference from the Bundesgerichtshof asking Does a change in reservation constitute „denied boarding“, even if it is not investigated by the air carrier, but by the tour operator? Does a change in reservation constitute „denied boarding“, even if it is not investigated by the air carrier, but by the tour operator?

Tonner, Air Passengers‘ Rights Denied boarding cont. Denied boarding cont. Reasons of the Bundesgerichtshof in the reference (BGH – X ZR 96/06): Reasons of the Bundesgerichtshof in the reference (BGH – X ZR 96/06): Change in reservation could be treated as denied boarding as otherwise carriers could circumvent the legal consequences of „denied boarding“ by changing the reservation. Change in reservation could be treated as denied boarding as otherwise carriers could circumvent the legal consequences of „denied boarding“ by changing the reservation.

Tonner, Air Passengers‘ Rights Denied boarding cont. Denied boarding cont. Further German cases are in the pipe, whether a delayed connecting flight constitutes „denied boarding“ of the second flight Further German cases are in the pipe, whether a delayed connecting flight constitutes „denied boarding“ of the second flight

Air Passengers`Rights Problem 3: Extraordinary circumstances Problem 3: Extraordinary circumstances Does a technical problem in an aircraft constitute „extraordinary cirumstances“ with the result that the carrier must not pay compensation? Does a technical problem in an aircraft constitute „extraordinary cirumstances“ with the result that the carrier must not pay compensation? ECJ C-549/07 Wallentin-Hermann v Altitalia: no. The fact that an air carrier has complied with the minimum rules on maintenance cannot in itself suffice to establish that the carrier has taken „all reasonable measures“ to relief that carrier of its obligation to pay compensation. ECJ C-549/07 Wallentin-Hermann v Altitalia: no. The fact that an air carrier has complied with the minimum rules on maintenance cannot in itself suffice to establish that the carrier has taken „all reasonable measures“ to relief that carrier of its obligation to pay compensation.

Tonner, Air Passengers´Rights Wallentin-Hermann cont Wallentin-Hermann cont The Regulation ensures a high level of protection for passengers; the excuse of extraordinary circumstances is a derogation from that principle and therefore must be interpreted strictly The Regulation ensures a high level of protection for passengers; the excuse of extraordinary circumstances is a derogation from that principle and therefore must be interpreted strictly The list in recital 14 (wheather conditions etc.) is only indicative The list in recital 14 (wheather conditions etc.) is only indicative

Tonner, Air Passengers‘ Rights Extraordinary circumstances cont. Extraordinary circumstances cont. Technical problems which come to light during maintenance cannot constitute in itself „extraordinary circumstances“ Technical problems which come to light during maintenance cannot constitute in itself „extraordinary circumstances“ Technical problems are no extraordinary circumstances, unless they stem from events, which are not inherent in the normal exercise of the activity of the air carrier and are beyond its actual control Technical problems are no extraordinary circumstances, unless they stem from events, which are not inherent in the normal exercise of the activity of the air carrier and are beyond its actual control

Tonner, Air Passengers`Rights Extraordinary circumstances cont. Extraordinary circumstances cont. C-529/08 Schulze v Deutsche Lufthansa C-529/08 Schulze v Deutsche Lufthansa Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Bundesgerichtshof Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Bundesgerichtshof Does the concept of an extraordinary circumstance include also those defaults which affect the airworthiness of the aircraft or the safe completion of the flight? Does the concept of an extraordinary circumstance include also those defaults which affect the airworthiness of the aircraft or the safe completion of the flight? Solution 3: Technical problems do not constitute „extraordinary circumstances“ Solution 3: Technical problems do not constitute „extraordinary circumstances“

Tonner, Air Passengers`Rights Conclusion Conclusion Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 is not a masterpiece of legislation Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 is not a masterpiece of legislation The Community legislator refuses to redraft it The Community legislator refuses to redraft it Repair is needed by the ECJ Repair is needed by the ECJ Problems are partly solved, but the main problem – distinction between delay and cancellation - still needs a word from Luxembourg Problems are partly solved, but the main problem – distinction between delay and cancellation - still needs a word from Luxembourg