EU transport ministers have voted n a Council summit held in Luxembourg to revise Regulation (EC) No. 261, which governs air passenger rights within the EU.. The modifications were expected to reduce the number of delayed flights eligible for compensation by up to 85pc.
Thresholds have been changed from three to four hours for flights of less than 3,500 kilometres and for longer trips if flights land at least six hours late.
Consumer rights group BEUC expressed its concerns, noting that most delays fall between two and four hours, limiting passenger compensation.
The amendments faced opposition from Germany and Spain, while Hungary shifted alliances for a separate commitment from the European Commission.
In a rare move not deployed in over a decade, EU countries adopted a legally binding position, effectively bypassing the usual informal talks with the European Parliament.
Now, the Parliament has four months to respond with its own counter-position, which must be backed by a majority of 361 MEPs, with the opportunity for MEPs to express their views on the Council’s binding stance.
Under current rules, passengers are entitled to €250–€600 in compensation for delays of more than three hours.
Ourania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director of A4E, said: “Europe has been waiting for transparent and workable passenger rights for twelve years and member states have fallen at the final hurdle to deliver. Rather than providing delay thresholds of five and nine hours that would save up to 70pc of rescuable cancelled flights, member states have diluted the European Commission’s original proposal and introduced even more complexity.”
Dariusz Klimczak Polish Transport Minister who chaired the talks shared: “This is a big success, and it is a step forward towards the very necessary update of the legislation.”
Agustín Reyna of the consumer alliance shared: “The new eligibility thresholds will deprive the majority of passengers from their compensation rights as most delays are between 2 and 4 hours,”
Jens Gieseke shared “The Council is trying to force the Parliament’s hand. The tactic is inacceptable.”
Jan-Christoph Oetjen shared “governments are using a “procedural trick to stop the Parliament from participating.”
