The proposal to update the European rules related to compensation for air trips can leave 85% of passengers without any compensation, according to consumer associations.
European air transport passengers can have to face new difficulties in obtaining delays compensation. The European Union began a review of the regulations dating from 2004, but the text faces political obstacles.
Civil society and airlines ask for text update, but do not share the same analysis.
Currently, it is possible to obtain a Compensation of 250 to 600 euros for delays equal to or greater than 3 hours. But currently current negotiations can result in New unfavorable rules for consumersAccording to Beuc (European Secretariat of Consumer Unions).
“The Commission proposed to change the deadline to receive compensation. It would no longer be three hours and would be five, nine or twelve (hours), depending on the distance. If what is discussed is approved, 85% of consumers will no longer have the right to compensation,” Steven Berger, Beuc Jurist, told Euronews. It is “a great setback in relation to the legislation of 2004”.
The directive applies to any flight that drives from an EU airport, regardless of the nationality of the airline, and the flights that reach EU airports if they are operated by an EU airline. It does not apply to flights to Europe operated by non -community airlines, or non -community flights with scale in Europe.
The regulation covers all Member States, as well as Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.
Compensation is not due in case of “extraordinary circumstances”, that is, extreme climatic conditions, restrictions on air traffic control, strikes that do not involve airline staff and political instability.
Beuc also criticizes the deadline for passenger rights to enforce.
“At this time, what is on the table (…) would only have three months to ask for compensation or that their rights are respected if they had a problem with the airline, which is too short,” says Steven Berger.
Flexibility defended by airlines
The ongoing discussions between the Member States are based on a proposal presented by the European Commission in 2013. Once again, civil society considers that this text is outdated and no longer meets the needs and requirements of current passengers.
For airlines, on the other hand, this 10 -year -old document remains a good discussion base.
The A4E Association (Airlines4europe), whose companies represent 70% of European air traffic, wrote to explain that “the commitment proposal of the 2013 European Commission would give airlines the flexibility they need to handle disturbances more effectively, helping to preserve flights and better satisfy passengers: reach their destination as soon as possible.”
According to A4E, “current legislation remains ambiguous, creating uncertainty for passengers, airlines and courts.”
Although compensation for delays and cancellations is at the Difficulty Center, consumer associations also indicate the need to review the role of travel intermediaries. These are platforms for comparison, reserve and purchase of aircraft tickets, but are not subject to the rules established in the 2004 text.
Poland, who exercises the semiannual presidency of the EU, has taken over the file and intends to make the greatest possible progress in negotiations until June. At the moment, negotiations are carried out at the technical level and have not yet reached the political level.
