Flight delay compensation 'open to millions of passengers' However, there were warnings the ruling could ultimately raise the cost of air travel by making budget airlines' pricing models unsustainable. The judgement brings to an end two long-running flight delay cases and will force courts across the country to adopt the same position in future cases. Lawyers claimed 1,000 cases were awaiting the outcome of the ruling, while another 2,000 claimants were waiting to issue proceedings. In one case the court ruled that Ronald Huzar, 58, from Stockport, was entitled to compensation from Jet2 after his flight from Malaga to Manchester was delayed for 27 hours due to a technical fault. Jet2 had claimed the malfunction, like a terrorist attack or episode of severe weather, constituted an "extraordinary circumstance" beyond its control, but the court rejected its appeal. After his victory Mr.Huzar said: "I am absolutely delighted with the decision. After everything I have been through to get to this point it's a fantastic day. I always hoped that we would get a positive outcome and it's nice to get to this milestone. The result in my favour should help passengers throughout the country who have experienced similar difficulties to me. A second bid by James Dawson, 41, for compensation following a six-and-a-half hour delay to his flight from Gatwick Airport to the Dominican Republic on Christmas Day, 2006 had been challenged by Thomson Airways because he did not file a claim until 2012. The airline argued that claims for compensation must be made within two years of the event, but the court ruled in Mr Dawson's favour, meaning passengers now have six years in which to apply. It means Mr Dawson can keep the £975 plus interest totalling £1,488 73p he has already been awarded by Thomson following an earlier ruling. David Bott, Senior Partner at Bott & Co, said: "This is a landmark day not just for Mr Huzar and Mr Dawson but for passengers everywhere. Two journeys which started with a delay have now finished, nearly eight years later in Mr Dawson's case. If you've previously submitted a claim to the airline but have been turned down on the grounds of a technical defect or because your claim is more than two years old, we recommend you resubmit your claim. A Thomson spokesman said: "We believe that it is reasonable to expect that those who perceive they have suffered a real loss as a result of an unfortunate delay should be able to make their claim within two years. We are surprised and disappointed to note the decision of the Supreme Court as we believe our position is sound in law. We will now review this position based on the court's decision. Jet2 is yet to make a statement on the ruling. Nathan Stower, chief executive of the British Air Transport Association, said: "Today's Supreme Court decision is both surprising and disappointing. UK airlines support the principle of passenger protection and always meet their legal obligations. However, the rules should be clear, affordable and proportionate for the sake of passengers and airlines. The current system fails those tests and this decision will further increase costs which ultimately are borne by all passengers. Martin Lewis, creator of MoneySavingExpert.com, has previously warned that case could make budget airlines' pricing models unsustainable. "This EU ruling has certainly swung the pendulum against airlines," he said. As the cost of the flight is irrelevant to the payout there will be some who paid £20 for a cheap flight, were delayed a few hours that didn't really bother them, yet are entitled to a disproportionate £320 compensation for it. If everyone did it, this could cripple budget airlines' pricing models and possibly hasten the financial troubles of airlines already struggling in a tough economy. Therefore balancing this on the see-saw of right and wrong isn't easy.