Europe’s Regions Airline Association has called for more clarity on the European Commission’s Passenger Mobility Package to assist passengers in their travel.
The package includes revisions on passenger rights, rights of persons with reduced mobility (PRMs), and a new regulation on passenger rights for multimodal journeys.
While the adoption of the package is a step forward, more clarity is needed for both airlines and consumers.
ERA welcomes improvements such as better transfer of information between airlines and intermediaries, a ‘single point of contact’ for PRM transfers, and modified rules for PRM accompanying persons.
But they say airlines will face additional administrative burdens, such as publishing reports on passenger rights, and changes to the Package Travel Directive risk weakening parts of the tourism ecosystem.
Greater consideration of airlines’ input is encouraged to ensure a smooth and efficient economic circle in package travel services.
ERA member airlines support passenger rights but call for clearer implementation guidelines. They stress the need for a fair playing field across transport modes and redress rights for delays beyond the airline’s control.
Urgent revision of the air passenger rights framework is needed, including defining extraordinary circumstances and clarifying compensation situations.
Montserrat Barriga of ERA said: “We can’t say this enough. The existing outmoded passenger rights legislation in Europe urgently needs to be revised. The current legislation, in particular in relation to the definition of extraordinary circumstances, is open to misinterpretation and desperately needs legislative clarity rather than haphazard judicial clarification. Our industry works hard to ensure the rights of its passengers are protected and upheld, however greater input from airlines should be taken into consideration to ensure this regulation is relevant and appropriate for today’s modern air transport industry.”
