Receiving compensation following a flight delay, travelling with a child without paying for an extra seat, or knowing the actual price of a ticket at the time of booking: these rights could soon be strengthened across the European Union. The European Parliament and the Council have reached a provisional agreement on a reform of air passenger rights, a text that has not been updated since 2004 and which still requires formal approval from both institutions.
Compensation upheld
The negotiators retained the right to compensation where the arrival at the destination is delayed more than three hours late, when a flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure or in the event of denied boarding. Depending on the distance travelled, compensation may amount to €250 for flights of up to 1,500 kilometres, €400 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometres, and €600 for longer journeys.
“We have preserved the rights they already enjoyed, added new safeguards and clarified the procedures to follow in the event of a problem,” said Virginijus Sinkevičius, vice-chair of the Committee on Transport and Tourism. Airlines will, however, be able to refuse compensation where the delay or cancellation is due to extraordinary circumstances, such as a natural disaster, war or adverse weather conditions.
Simplified procedures
The agreement also sets out new obligations for airlines. In the event of disruption, they must provide passengers, within four days of the end of the journey, with information explaining how to submit a claim for compensation.
Passengers will then have nine months to submit their claim. Airlines will have 30 days to pay compensation or explain their refusal. Whilst waiting, they must provide refreshments after two hours, a meal after three hours and, where the situation requires, accommodation for up to three nights.
Better protection for families
The text also introduces new safeguards for families and passengers requiring special assistance. Airlines will be required to provide a seat next to them free of charge to anyone travelling with a child under the age of 14. This measure will also apply to people with disabilities or reduced mobility, as well as pregnant women.
Passengers with reduced mobility will also be able to claim compensation or re-routing if they miss their flight because they were unable to reach their boarding gate in time. “Behind every delay and every cancellation, there are real lives,” emphasised the rapporteur for the text, Andrey Novakov.
More transparent pricing
MEPs have also secured new rules on price display. Airlines, travel agents and comparison websites will be required to display the ticket price at the start of the booking process, with hand luggage included in the offer. Travellers will retain the right to carry one personal item, such as a small bag or rucksack, free of charge.
The legislation also removes the charge for correcting a spelling mistake in a name and ensures access to a digital boarding pass without the need to create an account or use a specific app.
For the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, “the Parliament has always been the staunchest defender of air passengers’ rights. This agreement will strengthen air passengers’ rights across Europe. It will bring greater transparency and predictability for both consumers and airlines, without creating unnecessary administrative burdens for our industry. The Parliament has fought hard to make travel fairer and procedures clearer, and that is what we have managed to achieve.”
