What is the legal principle that protects airline operators from certain liabilities called?

The legal principle that protects airline operators from certain liabilities is called aviation liability limitation. This principle essentially sets caps on the amount of damages that can be claimed from airlines in the event of incidents such as accidents or delays. The rationale behind this is to encourage the operation of airlines by providing them with some predictability in terms of financial exposure. Over time, various international treaties and domestic laws have framed this limitation, balancing the interests of passengers and operators.

While other legal concepts such as contributory negligence and comparative negligence relate to how fault is determined and how damages are awarded based on the actions of the involved parties, they do not specifically provide the protections to airline operators that aviation liability limitation does. An exculpatory clause, which is a provision that seeks to relieve a party from liability, typically applies to contracts and may not specifically pertain to the aviation sector's inherent liabilities and limitations. Thus, the principle of aviation liability limitation is distinct and focused on the aviation industry, ensuring airlines can operate effectively while limiting their financial risks in certain circumstances.