Overview

• The Supreme Court ruled that pilot illness does not qualify as an 'extraordinary circumstance' exempting airlines from compensation claims.
• This decision stems from a case involving a British Airways CityFlyer flight cancelled due to a pilot's sickness in 2018.
• The ruling means passengers can claim compensation for cancellations caused by staff illness, affecting potentially millions of pounds in payouts.
• Passengers with previously rejected claims can now reapply for compensation under this new precedent.
• Consumer groups hail the decision as a significant win for air passenger rights, ensuring higher protection standards.