British Airways compensates passengers for ‘human error’

It has been reported that British Airways is settling claims for passengers on flights affected due to disruption at Heathrow as a result of an emergency landing of one of its aircraft.

Flight compensation solicitors Bott & Co said passengers were eligible for compensation of between €250 and €600 per person, depending on their flight distance and length of delay.
BA initially denied responsibility for the technical failure which triggered the emergency
landing. The airline claimed it was an extraordinary circumstance and was exempt from paying compensation to affected passengers under European regulation EC261/2004. But a report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch subsequently revealed the fault was due to human error.

One couple, reported by the Cheshire-based law firm, have been awarded €1,200 in
compensation after they missed their connecting flight to New York due to one of Heathrow’s two runways being closed after an Airbus A319 on its way to Oslo had to make an emergency landing almost a year ago.

The incident was found to have been a result of retaining latches – which hold the fan cowl doors in place to shield the inner part of the aircraft’s engine – not being closed before take-off.

The law firm says it has won compensation for passengers on three BA flights disrupted as a result. A BA spokesman said: “BA complies with its obligations as set out in EU Regulation 261. We always try to do everything we can to support our customers during times of disruption, including offering refreshments and hotel accommodation to those who require it.”