62024CJ0399_SUM
Case C‑399/24
AirHelp Germany GmbH
v
Austrian Airlines AG
(Request for a preliminary ruling from the Landesgericht Korneuburg)
Judgment of the Court (Third Chamber) of 16 October 2025
(Reference for a preliminary ruling – Air transport – Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 – Compensation for air passengers in the event of long flight delays – Conditions – Article 5(3) – Concept of ‘extraordinary circumstances’ – Concept of ‘reasonable measures’ to avoid an extraordinary circumstance or the consequences thereof – Aircraft struck by lightning during the preceding flight and consequently subject to a mandatory inspection)
Transport – Air transport – Regulation No 261/2004 – Compensation and assistance to passengers – Cancellation or long delay of flights – Exemption from the obligation to pay compensation – Condition – Extraordinary circumstances – Meaning – Lightning strike on an aircraft requiring mandatory safety inspections – Delayed return to service of the aircraft – Included – Reasonable measures taken by the air carrier to avoid cancellation or significant delay – Scope – To be determined by the national court
(European Parliament and Council Regulation No 261/2004, recital 14 and Art. 5(3))
(see paragraphs 17-38, operative part)
See the text of the decision.