Opinion ID: 744754
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Passengers' Interests

Text: 44 Finally, excluding state law claims where the Convention does not apply is inconsistent with the Convention's goal of protecting passengers. Underlying the desire for uniformity and limited liability for the carrier was a desire to balance the interests of the passenger and the carrier. See Lockerbie I, 928 F.2d at 1271. In return for certainty and limited liability, the carriers accepted presumed fault when the Convention applied, so that passengers or their survivors could obtain recovery in situations where it might be difficult to prove a carrier's negligence. See id. 45 Over the past several decades, international air transportation has transformed from a fragile, fledgling industry into one that is well established and financially secure. In recognition of the increasing strength of the airline industry, the balance has properly shifted away from protecting the carrier and toward protecting the passenger, see Day, 528 F.2d at 37, evidenced by the recent intercarrier agreement abandoning the Convention's liability cap and imposing strict liability up to $145,000. 46 Reading the Convention to preclude recovery for injuries sustained outside the scope of the Convention would undermine the notion of balancing the interests of the carrier and the passenger. Under such a scheme, the carrier would be disproportionately favored by being absolved from liability for its tortious conduct, except under certain limited circumstances. The passenger would be forced to bear the cost of injury, despite the airline being in a better position to distribute the costs of such injuries and to prevent them from occurring. See Keeton, Law of Torts, supra, § 4, at 24 (Tort law tends to place the burden on the corporation, who by means of rates, prices, taxes or insurance are best able to distribute risks and losses.). It is highly doubtful that such a skewing of interests was in the contemplation of the original drafters of the Convention, and such an interpretation is clearly at odds with the current goals of the Convention. Consequently, we hold that where the Convention is inapplicable, a plaintiff may seek recourse under state law.