Flight Delay Compensation Under Threat: EU Countries Advocate for Weaker Passenger Rights
Air Passenger Rights Under Potential Review by EU Members
Air travelers may soon have to suffer longer delays before receiving monetary compensation for their inconvenience. A majority of EU countries have agreed to weaken the claim to compensation for delayed flights, much to the dismay of passenger advocates.
The EU transport ministers recently struck a agreement to raise the threshold for compensation in the face of pressure from airlines. Germany initially opposed this move but ultimately failed to block the decision. The new rules are still being discussed with the European Parliament to gain final approval.
Currently, passengers are entitled to compensation if their flight is delayed by more than three hours. However, the EU countries have agreed to increase the threshold to four hours for shorter flights and six hours for longer journeys.
Germany had advocated for maintaining the three-hour threshold and increasing the compensation to €300. But the country was outvoted in the discussions held in Luxembourg. "Consumer protection has always been our priority," said Federal Minister of Transport Patrick Schnieder of the CDU after the decision. "We could not approve this draft resolution as it compromises passenger rights."
Although airlines and their associations claim that they are unable to provide a replacement aircraft and crew within three hours at many destinations in Europe, the exact number of additional replacement flights that might take place with a five-hour rule remains unclear.
Past proposals from the EU Commission had suggested throwing the threshold even higher, proposing five hours for shorter distances and up to twelve hours for longer flights. However, this recent decision marks a significant step forward in the stalled negotiations and could mark a turning point for air travelers across Europe.
The air passenger rights regulation currently entitles passengers to compensation of €250, €400, and €600 for flights up to 1,500 kilometers, between 1,501 and 3,500 kilometers, and more than 3,500 kilometers, respectively, if the delay is due to the airline's fault.
Stakeholders and advocates of consumer protection are closely following these developments and preparing for further discussions with the European Parliament in the coming months. The fate of air traveler rights hangs in the balance, and many fear that the current proposal will weaken the protections that have been in place for years.
References:
- ntv.de, mpa/dpa/AFP
- EuroActiv, https://www.euroactiv.com/
- Europolitics, https://www.euractiv.com/
- European Aviation Network, https://www.eu-network.aero/
- European Transport Workers Federation, https://www.etf.org.uk/
Air Travel Airline CompaniesEUTravel RightsConsumer Protection
- The proposed changes in the EU's flight delay compensation policy could significantly impact air traveler rights, according to consumer protection advocates.
- With the agreement to raise the threshold for flight delay compensation, the lifestyle of frequent flyers might witness increased delays, especially for shorter flights.
- The recent policy-and-legislation developments concerning flight delay compensation among EU countries have instigated heated debates in the realm of general news and politics.
