The European Regions Airline Association (ERA) is calling for a balanced revision of the Passenger Rights Regulation (EU261) to protect regional airlines.
The current regulation imposes heavy burdens on smaller airlines that operate essential services across Europe, particularly on short-haul routes.
ERA recommends raising compensation levels while extending delay thresholds from 3 to 5 hours for short-haul flights to reflect operational realities and enhance safety.
The association calls for limited re-routing conditions to maintain operational flexibility for regional carriers during disruptions.
Jesper Rungholm, ERA President, shared: “The majority of regional operations connect remote islands and regions of Europe to the mainland, providing vital connectivity” and “regulation must strike a balance between protecting passengers and ensuring that the airlines serving remote and underserved regions can continue to operate sustainably.”
