Data from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) indicates an increase in incidents with passengers on board aircraft during the summer, a period of more intense leisure air traffic.
These incidents, often involving verbal or physical aggression and frequently caused by non-compliance with instructions or alcohol consumption, can lead airlines to refuse compensation. However, aviation law experts state that carriers must properly justify any denial of compensation.
According to specialists, airlines cannot automatically invoke extraordinary circumstances to avoid liability. They must prove that the passenger's behavior was unpredictable, outside their control, and that all reasonable measures were taken to mitigate the consequences. Warning signs such as visible intoxication or aggressive behavior during boarding can undermine the airline's defense.
