I'm not sure I'd classify our Money Claim Online (MCOL) as extreme: it's simple to use, streamlined version of the small claims procedures available in most, if not all, member states.
There's even an EU-wide (except Denmark), cross-border small claims procedure (https://europa.eu/youreurope/busines...htm#shortcut-1) though I imagine this might be a bit of a headache to implement 
The airline can simply contest such a small claims procedure. All you have gained is actually nothing, because after a contest you can only proceed through the normal court system. The airline has just won more time.