Because no declaration was made about the pet's contents, the owner was only entitled to approximately €1,578.82 for the loss, far less than the claimed amount.

The CJEU has issued advisory judgments on aviation cases involving Austria and Spain, generally favoring airlines in similar disputes.

This advisory opinion supports the Spanish airline Iberia in a case where a passenger's dog was lost during transfer, and the passenger sought 5,000 euros in damages but was limited to standard baggage compensation.

The European Court of Justice (CJEU) was asked to determine whether animals, such as dogs, are considered 'baggage' under the Montreal Convention, which impacts airline liability and compensation.

The dog, placed in a pet crate, escaped during transfer to the plane, and despite efforts to recover it, Mona was never found. The owner did not make a special declaration about the pet's contents, affecting compensation.

The EU Court's opinion is advisory and does not resolve the dispute directly; the case remains under the jurisdiction of the Spanish court, which is expected to make a final ruling.

The case is currently awaiting a final decision from the Spanish court, following the legal interpretation provided by the CJUE.

This case highlights ongoing legal debates about the rights of pet owners and the responsibilities of airlines to ensure animal safety during transportation.

The dog's owner, Felicísima, sought €5,000 in damages for non-material damages, but legal limitations based on EU rules resulted in a lengthy six-year legal process.

In a related case, the court ruled that lightning strikes causing delays can be considered 'extraordinary circumstances' if airlines prove they've taken all reasonable measures to avoid delays, emphasizing the safety and design of modern aircraft.

Lightning strikes are common in aviation, occurring roughly once or twice a year per aircraft, and modern planes are built to withstand such events, requiring repairs only if damage occurs.