By Foo Yun Chee

BRUSSELS (Reuters), – On Thursday, the EU’s highest court allowed passengers to file a claim for compensation for delays caused by non-EU carriers operating on behalf of airlines within the bloc.

This latest ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union, Luxembourg (CJEU), is a boost to passengers’ right to receive reimbursements for cancellations or delays in flights.

Three passengers were involved in Thursday’s flight case. They made one reservation for Lufthansa with a travel agency, and it was for a flight between San Jose (USA) and Brussels. United Airlines was the sole operator of this flight.

They arrived at their destination after a delay of 223 minutes. United Airlines sued them for damages in a Dutch Court.

CJEU supported their claim and said that United Airlines could seek third-party compensation.

Judges said that “passengers who are delayed by a flight can claim compensation from an EU air carrier if the carrier performs the whole flight for the EU carrier.”

“United Airlines, the operating airline carrier, is obligated to pay compensation to a passenger. However, United Airlines retains the rights to pursue any other person for compensation in accordance to the applicable national laws.”

United Airlines case C-561/20.