{"id":215723,"date":"2026-01-22T05:01:56","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T04:01:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.voyages-d-affaires.com\/?p=215723"},"modified":"2026-01-26T10:52:53","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T09:52:53","slug":"european-parliament-passenger-rights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.voyages-d-affaires.com\/en\/european-parliament-passenger-rights","title":{"rendered":"Passenger rights: the European Parliament postpones changes"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Wednesday 21 January, the European Parliament adopted by a large majority its position on the revision of the rules on air passenger rights proposed by the Member States of the European Union in June 2025 through the European Council. The text was approved by 632 votes to 15, with 9 abstentions. MEPs clearly opposed the EU ministers' desire to weaken a legal framework in force since 2004<\/a>, designed to guarantee adequate protection for travellers in the event of disruptions to their journeys.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Preserving existing rights<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Parliament wants to maintain passengers' right to a refund or re-routing, as well as the right to compensation in the event of delays of more than three hours, flight cancellations or denied boarding. The Council, for its part, wanted to raise the threshold for compensation to a delay of between four and six hours, depending on the distance of the flight.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

MEPs also reject any reduction in the current levels of compensation. They propose setting compensation at between \u20ac300 and \u20ac600, depending on the distance travelled, while the Council advocates a range of between \u20ac300 and \u20ac500.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

With regard to the liability of airlines, which is limited to situations under their control, Parliament wishes to update and make exhaustive the list of extraordinary circumstances allowing exemption from compensation. This currently includes natural disasters, armed conflicts, extreme weather conditions or unforeseen industrial disputes affecting airlines, airports or air navigation service providers. MEPs call for this list to be regularly updated by the European Commission.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

However, Parliament agrees with the Council that the obligation to care for stranded passengers should be maintained in all circumstances. This includes the provision of refreshments every two hours from the initial departure time, a meal after three hours, and accommodation in the event of prolonged delay, up to a maximum of three nights. This limit is intended to offer airlines greater predictability and avoid excessive costs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n