The tour operator Novaturas and the airline Getjet Airlines have been arguing in court for some time over compensation for flight services that were not purchased by the tour operator during the Corona pandemic but were contractually agreed. Now an appeal court in Vilnius has confirmed that the tour operator must pay.

The first instance decision was made in September 2023that Novaturas must pay the sum claimed by Getjet Airlines in the amount of 1,15 million euros plus interest as well as legal and court costs. The tour operator filed an appeal against this. This was rejected by the second instance because the first judgment was confirmed.

The legal dispute concerns a charter agreement that would originally have run until 2022. Novaturas did not accept the contractually agreed flight services even after the strict entry and quarantine regulations were lifted. In both court hearings, the tour operator argued that Getjet Airines would not have been able to provide the services because at that time many passengers would not have been able to meet the entry requirements set by the respective governments.

Both the first instance and the appeal court saw it differently. The tour operator was ordered to pay the sum claimed plus eight percent interest per year, starting January 1, 2021. Novaturas must also reimburse Getjet Airlines for the legal and court costs incurred. According to the tour operator's statement, they are currently considering whether to go to the Supreme Court. According to local law, this extraordinary appeal would have no suspensive effect, so you have to pay no matter what, because once the appeal judgment becomes final, the airline could otherwise initiate compulsory enforcement.