ICAO: Travelers to Receive Higher Compensation for International Flights

In a effort to benefit travelers with higher compensation limits for international flights, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recently announced that liability limits for death, injury, delays, and baggage and cargo issues under the Montreal Convention will increase on December 28, 2024.

The Montreal Convention 1999, also known as MC99, established a unified framework for international air transportation, balancing the interests of travelers, cargo shippers, and the aviation industry.

According to a statement, ICAO informed its member states that the limits will increase through the convention’s inflation-adjusting review mechanism, which occurs every five years. This marks the fourth review since the treaty took effect in 2003 to ensure compensation remains appropriate.

“ICAO continues to advocate for the universal ratification of MC99,” said Juan Carlos Salazar, ICAO Secretary General.

“By promoting harmonization and codification of rules governing international carriage by air, MC99 benefits passengers and the shippers of cargo while enabling the unified and equitable development of air services.”

The revised limits

The convention sets liability limits for airlines, ensuring fair compensation for consumers in cases of injury, death, delay, baggage and cargo issues. It also allows for the use of electronic tickets and air waybills, reducing paperwork and operational costs for airlines.

The limits are indicated in Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), a unit of account defined by the International Monetary Fund. As of October 18, 2024, 1 SDR was valued at approximately 1.33318 US dollars.

The limits will be revised as follows:

– The limit for death or bodily injury will increase from 128,821 SDRs to 151,880 SDRs (about 202,500 US dollars)
– The limit for delay in passenger transport will rise from 5,346 SDRs to 6,303 SDRs (about 8,400 dollars)
– The limit for destruction, loss, damage, or delay of baggage will increase from 1,288 SDRs to 1,519 SDRs (about 2,000 dollars)
– The limit for destruction, loss, damage, or delay of cargo will rise from 22 SDRs to 26 SDRs per kilogram (about 35 dollars)

ICAO encourages the states parties to MC99 to take the necessary steps, in line with their domestic legal requirements, to fully implement the revised limits by December 28.