Thirteen years later: More rights and better protection for air passengers
Liberals and democrats welcome today’s final decision of the conciliation committee on the long-awaited revision of air passengers rights. The new rules strengthen air passenger rights by adding clearer timelines, new protections on the ground, and fairer pricing:
“After thirteen years, passengers finally have up to date rules for their air travel. Behind every delayed flight and every cancellation there is a real person. We fought to keep passengers rights strong and compensation fair - and while we pushed for more, this regulation delivers better Rights and clearer rules."
Jan-Christoph OetjenRenew Europe MEP, Germany, Freie Demokratische Partei
, Renew shadow rapporteur Jan- Christoph Oetjen said.
Liberals and Democrats believe that European citizens deserve fair treatment, clear rules and accessible compensation when flights are delayed, cancelled or boarding is denied. MEP Oetjen commented on what this updated regulation introduces:
“Families and people with reduced mobility will enjoy improved rights; every passenger will have more price transparency when choosing their fare, with better comparability and less hidden costs; and airlines will have to proactively inform passengers about their compensation rights and how to claim them -so in future, people should not have to go to court to claim what they're owed.”
The updated regulation introduces several key protections. Within four days of a delay or cancellation, passengers shall receive an email from the airline outlining the reason and how to claim compensation. Passengers then have nine months to file a claim, while airlines have 30 days to pay or respond. Further protections include the right to disembark after two hours on the tarmac, inclusive cabin luggage pricing, a ban on no-show fees on return flights, and strengthened rights for passengers with reduced mobility.