A lawyer has offered his take on the possible Heathrow disruption, claiming passengers are unlikely to get any compensation.

Although passengers may be due refunds or replacement flights, they are unlikely to receive cash payouts from airlines as the protests are likely to be considered "extraordinary circumstances," he said.



Events such as security threats, adverse weather, unexpected flight safety issues and staff strikes are considered extraordinary.



Under the Montreal Convention, an international aviation treaty, flight operators are not required to issue compensation to passengers in extraordinary circumstances, which apply if the delay or cancellation is outside of the control and responsibility of the airline.



Coby Benson, a lawyer in flight compensation at solicitors Bott & Co, said it was likely any disruption on Friday would be extraordinary and passengers would not be due compensation.

(Reuters)



"Based on the case law that exists at this point in time, I strongly suspect that any judge would say that this is an extraordinary circumstance," he said.



"Mainly because it's an event that is outside the control of the airline but also because it's an activity which is outside the responsibility of the airline.



"It's a given that it's outside the control of the airline, I don't think anyone would argue otherwise.



"But that's just one half of it. In order for something to be extraordinary it has to be both outside the control of the air carrier and also something that is not inherent in the normal activity of the air carrier. I think it fails on both parts."

