EU rules requiring airlines to pay passengers compensation for long delays and flight cancellations are valid, the EU's top court ruled today.
Airlines had complained about the rules, which took effect last year, saying they were too costly and required payment for conditions that were sometimes out of the carriers' control.
"The regulation on compensation and assistance for air passengers is valid," the European Court of Justice said in a statement.
The EU rules force airlines to compensate passengers for overbooking, long delays or cancellations with food, lodging, and, in some cases, hundreds of euros.
The attempt to block the implementation of the new rules was filed by the International Air Transport Association and the European Low Fares Airline Association, both of which represent airlines' interests.
The two groups filed their case in Britain and the High Court in London referred the case to the European Court of Justice because the complaint essentially called the whole set of EU rules into question.
Under the rules, airlines must pay passengers up to €600 if they are denied a seat because of overbooking. In some cases, carriers must give flyers a refund and a trip back to their point of departure. The rules apply to all flights to and from the EU.