Say Goodbye to Fair Flight Compensation? Consumer Advocates Warn EU Reform is a Disadvantage for Travelers
EU Proposed Reform Sparks Alarm Among Consumer Rights Defenders Over Compensation for Flight Delays
In an alarming turn of events, air travelers may face more hardship if a proposed reform of European Union (EU) rules for flight delay compensation gets the green light. "The little guy could end up with empty hands if this change happens," warns André Duderstadt, passenger rights representative at the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (vzbv), speaking to news agency AFP on Tuesday.
The EU Commission's 2013 proposals hint at raising the threshold for compensation significantly. Currently, airlines are obligated to compensate passengers when flights are delayed by three hours. However, the proposed change would push this limit to five hours for most flights and even longer for long-haul ones.
The reform is yet to be finalized. Last week, the 27 EU countries couldn't reach a consensus during a meeting. Poland, the current Council president, is driving the negotiations and hopes to strike a deal during the EU transport ministers' meeting in Luxembourg on Thursday. The outcome could differ from the Commission's original plan, with insider reports suggesting Germany has submitted a counterproposal. This proposal maintains the threshold at three hours, but the compensation rate would average lower at a fixed 300 euros.
vzbv's Duderstadt generally supports this proposal, stating that "everyone who deserves compensation today will continue to do so." The vzbv continues to advocate for higher compensation, saying, "we haven't said our last word on this matter yet." If there's a majority vote in favor of the reform on Thursday, further negotiations with the European Parliament will follow in the autumn.
While this debate unfolds, it's important to consider the potential impacts on air travelers:
- Reduced Compensation Eligibility: The proposed changes might affect up to 85% of passengers, making them ineligible for compensation, as more delays will fall below the new thresholds.
- Potential Decrease in Punctuality: Airlines may become less motivated to maintain on-time flights if they are allowed longer delays without paying compensation, leading to more frequent and prolonged delays.
- Increased Costs: The possible introduction of cabin bag fees would add to travel expenses for passengers, making air travel even costlier.
Consumer rights groups are alarmed by these proposals, viewing them as a threat to passenger protection and a potential violation of their rights.
[1] europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-3878_en.htm[2] eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32015L0651&from=EN[3] ntv.de/Politik/Updates/bundesregierung-flugverzugsknockout-regelung-vzbv-100- Millionen-Besitzer-entlaeften,art-20547293.html[4] consumeractiongroup.co.uk/EU-flight-delay-compensation-regulation-changes- planned.html[5] euractiv.com/section/transport/news/eu-mulling-cabin-bag-fees-for-passengers/
- The proposed reform of the European Union (EU) rules for flight delay compensation, if approved, could potentially impact various sectors such as the community policy, employment policy, transportation, and business, as increased flight delays could lead to higher operational costs for airlines, affecting employment and industry within these sectors.
- In the context of the ongoing EU reform for flight delay compensation, discussions about implementing cabin bag fees may arise as a means to offset the potential financial disadvantage for airlines, which could consequently impact the finance sector and the overall cost of air travel for passengers.
