The provisional agreement approved yesterday, Monday, by the European Parliament’s delegation to the Conciliation Committee establishes a new framework for air passenger rights, closing a dossier that had remained open for 13 years.
The agreement, reached between the European Parliament and the Council under the Cypriot presidency, maintains the three-hour rule for compensation in cases of long delays. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola called it “an important day for millions of passengers,” emphasizing that the Parliament has been a steadfast advocate for strong passenger rights.
When will passengers be entitled to compensation?
Passengers will be entitled to compensation when their flight is delayed by more than three hours, when it is canceled less than 14 days before departure, or when they are denied boarding. The amounts remain at €250 for flights up to 1,500 km, €400 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km, and €600 for longer routes.
Airlines will be able to reduce compensation by 50% on longer routes, provided that re-routing is offered and the delay in arrival does not exceed four hours. On the other hand, they will not be required to pay compensation when the delay or cancellation is due to extraordinary circumstances beyond their control, such as natural disasters, war, extreme weather conditions, strikes by airport or air traffic services, and incidents involving unruly passengers.
Care during delays and a simpler compensation process
Airlines will be required to provide care for passengers. They must offer refreshments every two hours of waiting, a meal after three hours, and, where necessary, accommodation for up to three nights. According to the Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, passengers will not be required to remain on board the aircraft in the event of a long delay.
The process for claiming compensation is also changing. Passengers will receive clear electronic instructions within four days of the end of their trip, without needing a user account or a specific app. There will be a single document/form for submitting a claim, and passengers will have nine months to do so. Airlines will have 30 days to pay the compensation or justify their refusal.
Carry-on Baggage, Families, and Boarding Passes
Regarding fees, ticket prices must be displayed from the start of the booking process along with carry-on baggage charges, so that passengers can compare the actual cost. Airlines will, however, be able to offer cheaper tickets to those who voluntarily choose to travel without carry-on luggage.
The new rules also provide for an adjacent seat for parents or guardians of children under 14, at no extra charge. The same right will apply to passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility and to pregnant women. The European Parliament’s rapporteur, Andrey Novakov, emphasized that “no one will have to pay extra to sit next to their child.”
Furthermore, passengers will not be charged for correcting spelling errors in their name or for printing a boarding pass, provided they have already checked in. The practice of canceling return flights due to a passenger’s failure to show up for the first leg of the journey is also prohibited.
For his part, Cypriot Minister of Transport Alexis Vafeades described the agreement as “a significant success for passengers.” He noted that the new framework brings greater certainty, fairness, and predictability for millions of travelers, while emphasizing the Cypriot presidency’s determination to resolve a long-standing problem.