EU Intends to Modify Passenger Rights Regulation, Potentially Leaving 12 Million Travelers without Compensation
The European Union is planning to change the air passenger rights, a move that could affect twelve million air passengers in Europe annually. The proposed reform, which has been under consideration for several years, may alter the current regulations that offer compensation up to 600 euros for delays or cancellations of more than three hours.
In June 2025, the Council of European transport ministers agreed on a proposal that restricts consumer rights. Under the proposed reform, passengers may lose compensation if their flight is delayed or cancelled. Affected individuals can download a legally reviewed sample letter from Finanztip, an independent financial advisor that conducted an inquiry on the impact of the proposed reform on flight assistance portals.
The reform plans focus on raising the minimum delay time before compensation applies. For short-haul flights, the proposed rules increase the compensation eligibility delay threshold from the current 3 hours to up to 6 hours. For long-haul flights, the threshold may increase from 3 hours to 9 hours. Passengers on flights under 3,500 kilometers will receive a uniform compensation of 300 euros, instead of the current varying amounts. Compensation for long-haul flights (over 3,500 kilometers) will be reduced from 600 euros to 500 euros.
Another key aspect of the reform is the introduction of a stronger right for passengers to be rerouted quickly through alternative airlines in case of disruption. This right aims to reduce the risk of excessive compensation payments by fixing disruptions faster. The reforms also seek to make the rules clearer and simpler, balancing strong passenger protections with maintaining connectivity and a level playing field in the EU aviation market.
However, these proposals have sparked opposition from passenger rights groups, who argue that the higher delay thresholds will block many passengers from claiming compensation, thus weakening protections. In contrast, airlines and their trade bodies defend the changes as making enforcement easier and avoiding unnecessary cancellations caused by compensation rules for short delays.
The European Parliament is expected to debate the proposal after the summer break. The Parliament has the power to reject, accept, or amend the proposal, and if the airline rejects the claim, consumers can turn to the independent dispute resolution body for travel and transport or to flight passenger assistants for free.
In the meantime, consumers can use Finanztip's free online compensation calculator to estimate their potential compensation under the current rules. With the summer travel season approaching, it's essential for passengers to understand their rights and plan accordingly. Dr. Britta Schön, a legal expert at Finanztip, expressed regret about the potential reform, calling the current air passenger rights a "real European achievement for consumers."
References:
- European Commission. (2022). Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 on the rights of passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 2027/97 on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/air/passengers/rights-boarding-cancellation_en
- European Parliament. (2025). Committee on Transport and Tourism. Retrieved from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/itre/home
- European Parliament. (2025). Draft report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the rights of passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 2027/97 on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay. Retrieved from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2025-0249_EN.html
- German government opposes weakening of EU air passenger rights. (2025, July 1). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/german-government-opposes-weakening-eu-air-passenger-rights-2025-07-01/
- Passenger rights groups criticise EU's proposed air travel compensation reforms. (2022, March 1). Retrieved from https://www.euractiv.com/section/transport/news/passenger-rights-groups-criticise-eus-proposed-air-travel-compensation-reforms/
- The proposal for a Regulation in the European Union aims to amend the current air passenger rights policy-and-legislation by raising the minimum delay time before compensation applies in business, potentially affecting the compensation received by millions of air passengers each year.
- The reform plans also introduce a stronger right for passengers to be rerouted quickly through alternative airlines in case of disruption, a move that is expected to reduce the risk of excessive compensation payments in politics and the general-news.
- The Council of European transport ministers have agreed on this proposal, yet it has sparked opposition from passenger rights groups who argue that the higher delay thresholds will weaken protections for consumers in the finance sector.
