Airlines are required to rebook passengers as quickly as possible, even if the delay exceeds three hours.
Case Text:
BGH, Judgment of 10 October 2023 – X ZR 123/22
The Federal Court of Justice recently overturned the decision of the Landshut Regional Court (5 October 2022) and referred the case back for further review. The case concerned a compensation claim filed by the plaintiff due to a flight cancellation caused by extreme weather conditions (blizzard). The affected flight, scheduled from Reykjavik to Munich, was canceled, and passengers reached their destination two days later with an alternative flight. The passengers claimed that alternative transport could have been arranged one day earlier. The appellate court emphasized that airlines must take all reasonable steps to rebook passengers as soon as possible, even if the delay exceeds three hours. The appellate court must now reassess this aspect and issue a new ruling.