A tightening of the rights of European travellers when flight delays. This is what the European Union. A proposal has been under discussion for several years. It should change the rules which the airline lobbies consider to be too intransigent. At present, a three-hour flight delay entitles passengers to compensation.
As proposed by the 27 EU countries, the changes will considerably increase the time it takes for passengers to assert their rights. The compensation threshold will be considerably extended and fragmented.
An 85% drop in compensated passengers?
Up to 3,500 km, this threshold will now be raised to 5 hours with compensation of 250 euros, or even 300 euros. From 9 a.m. and more than 3,500 km within the EU and 6,000 km outside the EU, the compensation will amount to 400 euros. Finally, from 12 noon on long-haul flights, passengers will be able to claim compensation of 600 euros.
According to the European Consumer Centre in Spain, this increase in delay times giving entitlement to compensation could result in 85 % of passengers losing this entitlement currently eligible for compensation.
So the EU seems to have given in to the airline lobbies. European airlines say that thehe compensation to be paid to passengers represents a cost equivalent to 2 % of turnover. To sweeten the pot, some people point out that the extension of the refund period should result in fewer flight cancellations. The compensation advocated by the EU generally represents an additional cost for airlines compared with the actual price paid by the passenger.
The Union will also publish a list of exceptional circumstances which will also exempt airlines from having to pay compensation for certain types of unforeseen event.
The EU has made a few concessions to passengers in return. Airlines will now have to immediately inform travellers of any delays or cancellations. And offer them assistance. Airlines will also no longer be able to keep passengers on the tarmac for more than three hours.
Settling the controversy over cabin baggage charges
Finally, on the luggage side, the EU wants to make it possible to take free hand luggage if it fits under the seat. A decision that looks like a "false" step forward. In fact, 99% airlines include a small piece of hand luggage (40x30x15 cm) in their basic service.
The Commission also wants to harmonise the size of larger hand luggage in the cabin. This cabin baggage must not exceed 55x40x20 cm and weigh 10 kg.. These would nevertheless remain chargeable if the airline so wished.
This clarification comes in the midst of a controversy. Wednesday 21st May, sixteen European public interest groups have lodged a complaint against seven low-cost airlines -including in particular easyJet, Ryanair, Transavia, Volotea and Vueling. They are accused of charging unjustified baggage handling fees, which the associations consider to be "illegal commercial practices".
It is not certain that these associations will win. Because, here again, the air carriers enjoy a juicy" commercial income with baggage charges. According to an investigation by the Italian daily Corriere della Serafees on hand luggage would have brought in more than 10 billion euros to European companies last year. The newspaper points out that transporting 120 cabin baggage items would generate an additional cost of 156 euros in fuel... compared with total revenue of more than 3,000 euros by charging for cabin baggage.
These new rules on compensation and cabin baggage will be put to a vote by the Member States at the EU Council meeting on 5 June.. And then submitted to the European Parliament for a vote. With a possible entry into force in autumn or early 2026.
