Brussels: The European Commission has announced a significant political agreement between the European Parliament and the Council of the EU to revise EU air passenger rights, marking the first major overhaul of these rules in over two decades. This agreement aims to modernize and strengthen passenger rights by clarifying existing provisions and reinforcing legal certainty for travelers, airlines, and enforcement authorities across the Union.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the agreement introduces several key enhancements, including clearer rules on compensation rights for delays and claims procedures, transparency in fare structures, and enhanced rights for passengers with reduced mobility. The agreement also bans no-show policies for return flights, ensuring that passengers who miss their outbound journey cannot be denied boarding on their return flight. Airlines will not be allowed to charge a fee for this provision.
The compensation framework remains unchanged, allowing passengers to claim compensation for cancellations or delays of over three hours. The compensation amounts are set at £250 for flights under 1,500 km, £400 for flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km, and £600 for flights exceeding 3,500 km. However, airlines are now required to proactively inform passengers of their rights and claims procedures within 96 hours of a disruption.
The agreement also refines the application of extraordinary circumstances and enhances fare transparency, enabling passengers to compare offers across airlines more effectively. This includes greater clarity on hand baggage charges while allowing airlines the freedom to set their own pricing structures.
For passengers with reduced mobility, the agreement provides improved support during disruptions, alongside better protection for essential mobility equipment. The scope of the regulation remains unchanged, covering all flights departing from the EU and flights to the EU operated by EU carriers. EU airlines can now display an 'EU Passenger Rights' label to inform passengers of their rights.
The European Parliament and the Council are expected to formally endorse the agreement, with the revised rules coming into effect 12 months after their publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. This development follows the Commission's 2013 proposal to revise the EU air passenger rights framework and subsequent case law from the Court of Justice of the European Union, emphasizing the need for updated and consistent rules.
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, highlighted that the agreement is a major advancement for European passengers and the aviation sector, delivering stronger passenger rights, improving transparency, and ensuring legal certainty for airlines and authorities.