The European Union is retaining the compensation scheme for air passengers whose flights are delayed by more than three hours. Airlines must also make it easier for travellers to submit a claim.
Foreign News
EU reaches agreement on compensation for delayed flights
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There has been years of wrangling over passengers’ rights. The European Commission initially wanted to raise the threshold for compensation to at least five hours, instead of the current three hours. A number of member states also wanted to cut back on the compensation scheme, arguing that it was becoming too costly for airlines.
“The European Parliament has consistently opposed the proposals from the Commission and the Council throughout this time,” said Flemish MEP Kathleen Van Brempt of Vooruit. Europe has now reached an agreement through a conciliation committee. The agreement will be officially ratified on Monday evening and must then be formally approved by the full European Parliament.
“After a decade of discussion, we have managed to avoid the worst,” says Agustin Reyna of the European consumer organisation BEUC.
Many passengers today are unaware of their rights or give up because the procedures are too complicated
Under the new rules, travellers must also be better informed. In the event of delays of more than three hours, airlines must inform passengers by email within four days about their rights and how to submit a claim for compensation. Within 14 days, they must either pay out the compensation or explain why they are not doing so.
An automatic payout, as the European Parliament would have liked, will not be introduced. “It’s a great pity,” Van Brempt sayd. “Many passengers today are unaware of their rights or give up because the procedures are too complicated.”
Claiming compensation turns out to be complicated for many passengers, even if they know they are entitled to it. This is often exploited by intermediary companies that submit claims on behalf of consumers, in exchange for a percentage of the compensation.
The amounts that passengers can claim in the event of a delay remain unchanged. These apply to both delayed and cancelled flights within the EU or those departing from or arriving in the EU.
€250 for flights of up to 1,500km (delay of more than 3 hours)
€400 for flights of more than 1,500km within the EU (delay of more than 3 hours)
€400 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500km (delay of more than 3 hours)
€400 for flights of more than 3,500km (delay of 3-4 hours)
The Parliament’s proposal that passengers should be allowed to take hand luggage on board free of charge will not be implemented. Only one personal item is allowed on board free of charge. This must not exceed 40x30x15cm, or it must be able to be stowed under the seat.
The EU has ruled that airlines may not charge parents extra for a seat next to their child. This also applies to carers accompanying a person with a disability.
Last week it emerged that the UK consumer watchdog, the CMA, had launched an investigation into the Irish airline Ryanair. The airline charges parents to sit next to their children, even though this is mandatory under its own rules.