AIR CARRIER LIABILITY FOR PASSENGERS AND THEIR BAGGAGE
(Date of issue : December 30, 2009)

This information notice summarises the liability rules applied by community air carriers as required by Community legislation and the Montréal Convention.

Compensation in case of death or injury
They are no financial limits to the liability for passengers injury or death.
For damages up to 113.100 SDRs (approximately EUR 123.300) the air carrier cannot contest claims for compensation except if the air carrier proves that the damage was caused or contributed to by the negligence or other wrongful act or omission of the passenger.

Above that amount, the air carrier can defend itself against a claim by proving that it was not negligent or otherwise at fault or by proving that the damage was caused or contributed to by the negligence or other wrongful act or omission of a third party.

Advance payments
If a passenger is killed or injured, the air carrier must make an advance payment, to cover immediate economic needs, within 15 days from the identification of the person entitled to compensation. In the event of death, this advance payment shall not be less than 16.000 SDRs (approximately EUR 20.000).

Such advance payments shall not constitute recognition of liability and may be offset against any amounts subsequently paid as damages by the carrier. It is not returnable, except in the cases of negligence or other wrongful act or omission of the passenger or where the person who received the advance payment was not the person entitled to compensation

Passenger delays
In case of passenger delay, the air carrier is liable for damage unless it took all reasonable measures to avoid the damage or it was impossible to take such measures. The liability for passenger delay is limited to 4.694 SDRs (approximately EUR 5.116).

Baggage delays
In case of baggage delay, the air carrier is liable for damage unless it took all reasonable measures to avoid the damage or it was impossible to take such measures. The liability for baggage delay is limited to 1.131 SDRs (approximately EUR 1.233).

Destruction, loss or damage to baggage
The air carrier is liable for destruction, loss or damage to baggage up to 1.131 SDRs (approximately EUR 1.233). In the case of checked baggage, it is liable even if not at fault, unless the baggage was defective. In the case of unchecked baggage, the carrier is liable only if at fault.
 

Higher limits for baggage
A passenger can benefit from a higher liability limit by making a special declaration at the latest at check-in and by paying a supplementary fee.

Complaints on baggage
If the baggage is damaged, delayed, lost or destroyed, the passenger must write and complain to the air carrier as soon as possible. In the case of damage to checked baggage, the passenger must write and complain within seven days, and in the case of delay within 21 days, in both cases from the date on which the baggage was placed at the passenger’s disposal.

Liability of contracting and actual carriers
If the air carrier actually performing the flight is not the same as the contracting air carrier, the passenger has the right to address a complaint or to make a claim for damages against either. If the name or code of an air carrier is indicated on the ticket, that air carrier is the contracting air carrier.

Time limit for action
Any action in court to claim damages must be brought within two years from the date of arrival of the aircraft, or from the date on which the aircraft ought to have arrived.

Basis for the information
The basis for the rules described above is the Montreal Convention of 28 May 1999, which is implemented in the Community by Regulation (EC) No 2027/97 (as amended by Regulation (EC) No 889/2002) and national legislation of the Member States.

DISCLAIMER : This notice can not be used as a basis for a claim for compensation and cannot be used to interpret the provisions of the European Regulation or the Montréal Convention, and it does not part of the contract between passenger and air carrier. No representation is made by the carrier(s) as the accuracy of the contents of this notice.