Carrier confident of dependability

  • 2005-03-02
  • From wire reports
TALLINN - Estonian Air is struggling to estimate the effect that new EU aviation regulations will have on business, and won't know what's ahead until these rules are put in place.

Company spokesperson Marve Lilleleht said that the carrier had taken a cash reserve into consideration, which, if necessary, would have to be set up for payments against potential passenger claims. At the moment, however, there is no definite plan to establish such a reserve, she added.

"First we'll see whether and how the new rules are going to have an effect," Lilleleht said.

Under regulations that stepped into effect on Feb. 17, passengers have the right to claim airline compensation for canceled or delayed flights, as well as overbooking, lost or damaged luggage, personal injury or death.

Estonian Air is bracing itself for a considerably smaller number of claims than the average carrier, as the company's dependable abidance to flight schedules surpasses most European airlines.

Looking at all regular flights in 2004, only 0.45 percent didn't take place, 90 percent departed within 15 minutes of the scheduled time, and 97 percent within 60 minutes.