Caution Ahead! Potential Changes to EU Rules on Flight Delay Compensation Alarm Consumer Advocates
European reform in flight delay compensation raises concerns among consumer watchdogs
Hold onto your boarding passes, folks! The future of air travel compensation might be about to change, and not in a good way, according toConsumer advocates. They've warned that a proposed reform of EU regulations could leave those affected by flight delays high and dry.
André Duderstadt, the passenger rights representative at the Federation of German Consumer Organisations (vzbv), shared his concerns in an interview with AFP, stating, “People who have suffered genuine disadvantages could be left empty-handed in the future.”
Proposals from the EU Commission in 2013 are under consideration, suggesting a notable hike in the compensation threshold for delays, currently set at three hours. The planned change would make flat-rate payments due only from five hours of delay, and up to twelve hours for long-haul flights. As of now, these reforms are still up in the air—27 EU countries couldn't reach an agreement on the changes at a recent meeting.
Poland, which is currently at the helm of the Council of the 27 states, is spearheading the negotiations. A potential agreement could be reached at the meeting of EU transport ministers on Thursday in Luxembourg. The final compromise could deviate from the Commission's initial proposals. Germany has reportedly thrown its hat into the ring with a counter-proposal, maintaining the three-hour threshold but offering a flat rate of 300 euros, thus averaging lower compensation compared to the current system.
Duderstadt, from vzbv, voiced his approval of this proposal, saying, “This would ensure that everyone who has a claim to compensation today will continue to have this claim." However, the vzbv insists that higher compensation is necessary and the conversation is far from over. If the 27 countries reach a consensus on Thursday, they'll need to negotiate with the European Parliament later. Those talks are expected to heat up in the fall.
- The community policy under discussion is the potential changes to EU rules on flight delay compensation, which have raised concerns among consumer advocates.
- The employment policy involving finance is evident in the proposed reform of EU regulations, as the compensation threshold for delays could significantly increase.
- The policy-and-legislation, politics, and general news sectors have been impacted by the ongoing debate and negotiations regarding the changes to EU flight delay compensation rules, particularly in industries such as transportation.
