DISCLAIMER
This is a notice required by European Community Regulation (EC) No. 889/2002. This notice cannot be used as a basis for a claim for compensation, nor to interpret the provisions of the Regulation or the Montreal Convention, and it does not form part of the contract between the the Airline Seat Company or any carrier(s) and you. No representation is made by the carrier(s) or the Airline Seat Company as to the accuracy of the contents of this notice.
When reading the notice please bear in mind the following. The notice is inaccurate in stating that for damages up to 113,100 SDRs the air carrier cannot contest claims for compensation. Under the Regulation and the Montreal Convention the position is as follows: for damages up to 113,100 SDRs in respect of death or bodily injury caused by an accident on board the aircraft or during embarking or disembarking, the carrier cannot exclude or limit its liability except where there is contributory negligence. Also the limit of the air carrier's liability for baggage delays, destruction, loss or damage to baggage is 1,131 SDRs in total. The statement that if the name or code of an air carrier is indicated on the ticket, that carrier is the contracting carrier, does not apply in all cases.
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PASSENGERS
Air carrier liability for passengers and their baggage This information notice summarises the liability rules applied by Community air carriers as required by Community legislation and the Montreal Convention.
Compensation in the case of death or injury
There are no financial limits to the liability for passenger injury or death. For damages up to 113,100 SDRs (approximately £110,000) the air carrier cannot contest claims for compensation. Above that amount, the air carrier can defend itself against a claim by proving that it was not negligent or otherwise at fault.
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 £13,000).
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 £4,600).
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 £1,100).
Destruction, loss or damage to baggage
The air carrier is liable for destruction, loss or damage to baggage up to 1 000 SDRs (approximately £820). 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.
High 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.
NOTE: A Community air carrier's liability is as provided by the Montreal Convention of 1999 and the EU Regulation (EC) No.2027/97 as amended by No. 889/2002. The Montreal Convention may limit the liability of carriers in respect of death or injury and for destruction or loss of, or damage to, baggage, and for delay.
For claims made in jurisdictions where these provisions are not in force, to the extent not in conflict with the special contractual terms adopted by a Community air carrier, the Warsaw Convention of 1929 (and any amendments to it that may be applicable) may apply and may limit the liability of carriers for death or personal injury and in respect of loss of or damage to baggage.
