Overview

• The April 16 decision orders a tour operator to reimburse a traveler who canceled after credible storm alerts for Northern Italy
• A disaster alarm issued in the Bologna region and related fatalities prompted the claimant’s withdrawal one month before the scheduled trip
• An earlier district court ruling in the traveler’s favor was affirmed on appeal, making the precedent legally binding under German law
• The court ruled that the possibility of danger alone justifies cancellation, irrespective of whether the journey occurred without incident
• Legal experts say the judgment reinforces consumer protections by recognizing meteorological warnings as valid grounds to terminate travel contracts