EU Air Rights Talks Press On

The European Parliament and the Council continued negotiations Tuesday on proposed changes to EU air passenger rights, as lawmakers work toward an agreement by mid-June. Parliament rapporteur Andrey Novakov and Transport and Tourism Committee vice-chair Virginijus Sinkevičius were scheduled to brief journalists in Strasbourg at 18:15 CET.

Parliament adopted its negotiating position in January, opposing changes it said could weaken protections that have been in place since 2004. Members of the European Parliament want passengers to retain the right to reimbursement or rerouting, as well as compensation for flights delayed by more than three hours, cancelled flights and denied boarding.

EU ministers rejected Parliament’s proposals in March, prompting the start of a conciliation process between the Parliament and the Council. Tuesday’s interinstitutional talks were intended to help the two sides move toward a compromise.

The press point was scheduled to take place in the European Parliament’s Weiss building in Strasbourg and was to be streamed online through Parliament’s Multimedia Centre. Accredited media representatives were invited to attend in person.