ILT vs Geschillencommissie — choose the right escalation route

On an EU 261 claim the airline won't pay, you have two main escalation routes. Which to choose?

ILT — Dutch Aviation Authority

• What: Dutch government supervisor for aviation.
• Cost: €0. Online form.
• Speed: processing 3-6 months.
• Outcome: warning/enforcement/fine AGAINST the carrier. You don't personally get money via ILT. But ILT pressure often results in carrier paying after all.
• Best for: systemic airline violations, "simply refuses to pay" cases, as evidence for later cantonal court procedure.

Geschillencommissie Luchtvaart (Aviation Disputes Committee, part of Stichting Geschillencommissies Consumentenzaken)

• What: independent arbitration body for airline-vs-consumer disputes. Only for carriers that are members (most European majors are).
• Cost: €52.50 filing fee (refunded if you win).
• Speed: ruling within 6 months, often settled earlier.
• Outcome: binding advice up to €25,000. YOU get money if the Committee rules in your favour.
• Deadline: 1 year after carrier final position.
• Best for: your concrete claim the airline refuses, want money faster than court, claim below €25k.

Decision table:

• Your airline is a member + claim <€25k + you want FAST money: → Geschillencommissie first.
• Airline is not a member or refuses to cooperate: → ILT report parallel, then cantonal court.
• Pattern violation (airline does this to everyone): → ILT report definitely, strengthens later claims.
• Claim >€25k: → direct to cantonal court (or district court for higher amounts).

Both can run in parallel. An ILT report doesn't preclude a Geschillencommissie procedure (and vice versa). For maximum effectiveness: file ILT for pressure + evidence, then Geschillencommissie for the money.