New EU ruling on the definition of a flight delay to affect compensation claims

The European Courts of Justice (ECJ) has issued a judgement on the definition of flight arrival time that will have a significant effect on flight delay compensation. The ruling states that ‘the actual arrival time of a flight corresponds to the time at which at least one of the doors of the aircraft is opened’. Adeline Noorderhaven, Manager EUclaim UK, said: The decision will have a considerable effect on airlines.  On average the time from landing, to taxing to the gate, to parking, through to when the aircraft door is opened can be anything from 20 minutes upwards. Every airport is different