Alert: Potential Reduced Rights for Flight Delay Compensation as EU Reform Looms
Critics express concerns over EU's proposed changes to reimbursement for flight disruptions
Get ready for a change in air travel, as controversial reforms to the EU's compensation rules for flight delays are back on the table. The likes of André Duderstaedt, flight passenger rights specialist at the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (vzbv), voice concerns that average travelers could end up high and dry should these changes push through as planned.
The EU Commission first tabled these proposals in 2013, suggesting a significant rise in the threshold for compensation. As it stands, compensation comes into play after a three-hour delay. Under the proposed amendments, a flat payment would typically only be due starting from a five-hour delay, with comprise periods of up to twelve hours for long-haul flights.
The EU countries have yet to reach a decision on this matter. Poland, currently holding the presidency of the Council of the 27 states, is driving the negotiation process. They're hoping for a resolution during the meeting of EU transport ministers in Luxembourg on Thursday. A compromise could differ from the Commission's original proposal. Reports suggest that Germany has submitted an alternative proposal which would keep the threshold at three hours, but provide a flat compensation of €300.
Duderstaedt supports this alternative, stating, "This would ensure that everyone who currently has a claim to compensation could still make that claim." However, vzbv continues to advocate for increased compensation amounts, with Duderstaedt adding, "The last word has not been spoken on this." Should a majority of the 27 countries settle on a decision on Thursday, further discussions with the European Parliament will ensue. These talks could gather momentum in the fall.
Sources: ntv.de, AFP
Enrichment Data:
*Overall:
The European Union is currently undergoing a reform of passenger rights for flight delays. These reforms have been in the works since 2013 but have faced opposition from several countries, including Germany [1][2].
*Proposed Changes:
The proposed changes involve a higher threshold for compensation, currently set at a three-hour delay. Proposals suggest raising this threshold to four hours for all flights, while some suggest extending it to six hours for long-haul flights [2][3]. Additionally, there are discussions about allowing airlines to delay flights beyond 12 hours without compensation, which could significantly reduce the number of passengers eligible [4].
*Implications:
These reforms have consumer groups and advocates on edge due to the potential decrease in protections for passengers and a possible negative impact on airline service quality. Additionally, these reforms might affect the legal precedents established by the Court of Justice of the EU, which has helped solidify passenger rights over the years [3][4].
- The proposed community policy reforms in the EU could potentially alter employment policies within the aviation industry, as changes to flight delay compensation rules might influence the service quality provided by airlines.
- Finance, lifestyle, and travel sectors may experience shifts due to the EU's proposed changes in passenger rights for flight delays, as the increased thresholds for compensation could impact both airlines and passengers, potentially affecting employment policies in the industry.
