Overview

• The European Court of Justice ruled on October 16, 2025, that animals carried in an aircraft hold fall under the Convention’s baggage liability regime.
• In the referred Spanish case, a dog escaped before loading in Buenos Aires and was not recovered, and the owner sought €5,000 in non‑material damages.
• Iberia acknowledged liability but applied the baggage cap, which is roughly €1,600–€1,700 under the Montreal Convention.
• The court said EU recognition of animal welfare does not change the treaty’s categories, which cover only persons, goods, and baggage.
• Higher compensation is available only with a prior declared value and surcharge, which was not done here, and the ruling now binds national courts across the EU (Case C-218/24).