EU Nations Keep Flight Delay Compensation Rules for Passengers
EU member states have agreed to preserve existing air passenger compensation rules for flight delays, rejecting airline industry pressure to weaken protections that have been in place for over two decades.
EU ambassadors approved the compromise deal on Friday following more than thirteen years of negotiations, according to Brussels Signal. The agreement maintains the current three-hour delay threshold that triggers compensation payments ranging from €250 to €600 based on flight distance.
Only Spain and Latvia opposed the compromise, while Austria and Finland abstained from voting. Spanish officials criticized the deal as lacking sufficient ambition in passenger protection.
The outcome represents a significant victory for consumer advocates over airline industry lobbying efforts. Carriers had pressed for raising the delay threshold to four hours or capping maximum compensation at €500, citing post-pandemic operational disruptions and mounting costs.
Parliament Stands Firm on Consumer Rights
Andrey Novakov, a European People’s Party MEP, confirmed Friday that parliament delivered on its commitment to passengers. Kosma Złotowski, the European Conservatives and Reformist shadow rapporteur, highlighted key achievements including guaranteed free adjacent seating for families with children and prohibition of return ticket cancellations when passengers skip outbound flights.
Tomasz Pawliszyn, CEO of AirHelp, told Brussels Signal that while the preserved status quo fell short of hoped-for improvements reflecting two decades of inflation, it represented the best available outcome given industry efforts to roll back protections.
Industry Arguments Rejected
Aviation companies have maintained that Regulation EC 261/2004 imposes outdated and excessive burdens, particularly amid rising fuel costs, workforce shortages, and new climate regulations. Airlines also claim the rules invite exploitation by claims management firms.
A senior EU diplomat confirmed member states chose to maintain the existing framework on what was described as the contentious compensation question.
New Transparency Requirements
Beyond preserving delay compensation, the agreement introduces enhanced price transparency for carry-on baggage. Airlines must now include cabin bag fees in base ticket prices, with optional discounts available for passengers traveling without cabin luggage.
The deal requires formal approval from members of the European Parliament conciliation committee by Monday, followed by an expected plenary vote in July. Implementation is scheduled for the second half of 2027.
Consumer organizations welcomed the retention of robust passenger protections while noting many travelers still fail to claim their entitled compensation under current regulations.
With information from Brussels Signal
