LONDON — Five airlines have been told by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to obey EU rules – or be taken to court.

According to the BBC, American Airlines, Etihad, Emirates, Singapore and Turkish Airlines all had told CAA that they did not pay compensation to passengers after they missed their connecting flights due to delays. However, according to EU261, compensation is due if passengers arrive at their final destination from an EU country more than three hours late.

Richard Moriarty, director of consumers and markets at the CAA, told the BBC that several airlines were refusing to pay up. He said the organization has received the most complaints about Emirates, which is currently fighting a claim from several passengers through the Court of Appeal, reports TravelMole.

The current rules on cash compensation for delays (which must be the fault of the airline) cover flights departing from an EU airport and operated by any airline, or flights arriving at an EU airport and operated by an EU airline.

Passengers on short-haul flights that are delayed by more than three hours are entitled to receive 250 euros, while those on medium-haul flights receive 400 euros. Passengers on long-haul flights receive 300 euros for delays of between three and four hours, and 600 euros for delays lasting more than four hours.

If an airline refuses to obey the rules, they can be taken to court and be fined an unlimited amount.

BBC also reports that CAA took similar against Aer Lingus, Jet2 and Wizz Air three years ago.