MEPs Fight for Passenger Rights

In a significant move to enhance air passenger rights, members of the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee have outlined strict conditions they expect to maintain in the ongoing legislative modifications. The committee aims to fortify existing rights while introducing new benefits for travelers within the European Union.

The MEPs firmly supported maintaining the current compensation rule, which allows passengers to claim compensation if their flight is delayed by more than three hours. They resisted the Council’s proposal to extend this delay threshold to four or six hours, depending on the flight’s distance. This stance is part of a broader effort to uphold robust passenger protections without compromising the competitiveness of the aviation sector.

In addition to compensation rights, MEPs endorsed new guidelines which include free carriage of a personal item and a small trolley, abolition of check-in and seat selection fees for children, and a mandatory error correction in booking without additional charges. These measures are designed to alleviate the stress and financial burden on passengers experiencing flight disruptions.

European Parliament rapporteur Andrey Novakov emphasized the importance of these rights, stating, “We will not allow citizens to be left behind. Behind every delay or cancellation, there are real people and missed significant life events.” These guidelines are set to be negotiated further with the Danish Council presidency starting 15 October, with a three-month period allocated to finalize the changes.

This legislative initiative underscores the European Parliament’s commitment to safeguarding consumer rights in air travel, ensuring that passengers are not only compensated but also treated with fairness and dignity across all member states.