Compensation preserved in the event of a delay of more than three hours, clearer and faster reimbursement procedure: European deputies adopted a text on Tuesday strengthening passengers’ rights, despite pressure from airlines.
After some 13 years of arduous negotiations and an agreement reached between Member States on June 12, the text was adopted by an overwhelming majority (646 votes for, 12 votes against) by MEPs meeting in plenary session in Strasbourg.
During a debate Monday evening in the European Parliament, Andrey Novakov, rapporteur of the text and member of the EPP (right) explained that he had “fought fiercely” to obtain this result.
It “took a lot longer than we would have liked.” And many of us would have liked to go even further,” admitted European Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas. “But we succeeded: this is the first overhaul of EU air passenger rights in more than twenty years,” he stressed, welcoming “excellent news” for travelers.
The text guarantees the rights of air passengers, or even strengthens them.
It thus maintains compensation of 250 to 600 euros, depending on the distance, in the event of a delay of more than three hours on arrival.
A provision whose cost is estimated at 8 billion euros per year by the European Commission and which airlines have fought without success. According to them, this pushes them to cancel flights rather than delay them, for fear of postponing subsequent flights and paying cascading compensation.
The text also provides that people accompanying a child under 14 will be able to sit next to them on the plane without having to pay extra.
No additional costs either for passengers who would like to correct a possible spelling error in the last name entered at the time of booking.
Passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility will be entitled to compensation from airlines if they miss their flight due to lack of measures to help them reach the boarding gate on time.
Furthermore, in order to compare offers in a more transparent manner, and to avoid unpleasant surprises for consumers when paying, airlines will have to display a price including hand luggage in the cabin.
If it took so many years to arrive at this text, it is because airlines “exert considerable influence over governments, which makes negotiations very difficult,” Andrey Novakov said Tuesday during a press conference organized after the vote.
“We had to make compromises here and there,” added the rapporteur of the text, explaining for example that he “failed” to obtain an increase in compensation to compensate for inflation, but on the other hand managed to “require airlines to contact the passenger within four days and clearly explain to him the procedure to follow to obtain his compensation”.
A clarification which should help travelers assert their rights.
“The European Union is often perceived as disconnected from citizens,” the head of Green MEPs Terry Reintke underlined during a press briefing on Tuesday, adding: “We are demonstrating here that we care about them and that their rights are at the heart of our concerns.”
