Supreme Court Rules Airline Staff Illness Not Grounds for Cancelled Flight Compensation Exemption

British Airways loses appeal, potentially impacting thousands of compensation claims annually.

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.