Small Claims Courts (SCCs) were opened up in airports a few
years ago with the aim of speeding up the processing of demands
relating to baggage violation, theft and loss, flight delays and
cancellations, overbooking, and the obligations to provide
information and otherwise comply with passengers' rights.
The services provided by the SCCs are free of charge and aim
to resolve issues that involve sums of up to 20 minimum wages
(approx. US$ 6,000), without the need for an attorney.
Each court has a staff of employees and mediators operating
under the coordination of a judge, who attempts to resolve the
disputes by means of an amicable settlement between the passengers
and the airline companies. An employee from each airline should be
present to register the complaint. If no settlement is reached, the
claim is sent to the Small Claims Court nearest to passenger's
domicile, which will decide the case.
