CONSUMER PROTECAO DO CONSUMIDOR NO TRANSPORTE AEREO INTERNACIONAL DE PASSAGEIROS: UMA VISAO EUROPEIA

First, it is important to clarify that the topic we bring here will be approached from a procedural perspective, without neglecting the nature of the disputed material relationship. We will address the main European instruments applicable to international passenger air transport contracts, seeking to highlight their scope and regime, as well as the protection granted to the passenger, traveler/consumer. We will look at the principle of protection of the weaker party in its multiple aspects, forum, applicable law and greater adequacy in terms of contractual balance. We will refer, in this regard, to the rules on jurisdiction in Regulation No. 1215/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of12 December 2012 on judicial jurisdiction, the recognition and enforcement of decisions in civil and commercial matters, regarding situations that imply the protection of the weakest party, especially the consumer, seeking to highlight the legislator's option to exclude, in the context of an international passenger transport contract, the forum for the protection of contracts concluded by consumers. We will also address the jurisdiction established by the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules Relating to International Carriage by Air, of May 28, 1999, especially with regard to its article 33 as a rule of jurisdiction. Finally, we will seek to highlight the options left to the passenger who intends to take action against the airline, asserting the rights recognized by law, without neglecting the option of "dejudicialization" given the impossibility of using the forum for the protection of consumer contracts in general.