Air Passenger Rights:a New Departure in European Aviation Law

The purpose of this article is to critically evaluate the legal and economic implications of the framework for passenger rights under Regulation 261/2004 in light of the recent decision of the Court of Justice in International Air Transport Association v The Department of Transport . This article will examine in detail the Regulation,outlining the major provisions contained within, the legal challenge brought by the International Air Transport Association (“IATA”) and the European Low Fares Association (“ELFA”) and the impactit will have on passenger rights in the European Union. Furthermore, the article will conclude by examining how national enforcement bodies will attempt to implement the provisions of the Regulation and the likely difficulties that may be encountered where “extraordinary circumstances” arise.