Sound the Alarm! Consumer Rights at Risk as EU Contemplates Flight Delay Compensation Overhaul
Critics raise alarms over proposed EU changes to passenger grants for flight disruptions
Get ready, travelers, the EU's flight delay compensation rules might soon change, and it could leave many of you high and dry! "It's a concern that genuine claimants may miss out in the future," warns André Duderstadt, air passenger rights expert at the Federation of German Consumer Organisations (vzbv), in a chat with AFP.
Currently, if your flight is delayed by three hours or more, you're entitled to compensation ranging from €250 to €600. But, the European Commission wants to up the ante. They pitch a plan that raises the threshold for compensation, with a flat payout only due after five hours of delay, and even longer waits for long-haul flights[1][3].
The debate doesn't end there. A summit among the 27 EU countries last week resulted in a stalemate on changes, with Poland, currently holding the EU presidency, pushing for a resolution at the EU transport ministers meeting set for Thursday in Luxembourg[3][5]. A compromise might not resemble the Commission's proposal, with Germany rumored to have submitted a counter-proposal, keeping the threshold at the existing three hours, but settling for a flat compensation of 300 euros[4].
Duderstadt gives a thumbs-up to Germany's plan in principle. "With this proposal, everyone who currently has a claim to compensation will continue to have it," he says. However, the vzbv keeps pushing for an improvement in compensation amounts[4].
The final decision rests with a majority of the 27 countries, with ongoing negotiations with the European Parliament to follow[5]. Who knows what transpires in these secret halls? Buckle up for an exciting ride!
[1] ntv.de[2] BEUC (European Consumer Organisation)[3] AFP[4] Reuters[5] Schedules Direct (EU negotiations and meeting schedule)
- The European Commission's proposal to raise the compensation threshold for flight delays could potentially prevent genuine claimants from receiving their due compensation in the future.
- If the European Commission's proposal is implemented, passengers would only receive compensation after five hours of delay, and even longer for long-haul flights.
- A stalemate on changes to the flight delay compensation rules occurred at a recent EU summit, with Poland pushing for a resolution at the EU transport ministers meeting scheduled for Thursday in Luxembourg.
- Germany has reportedly submitted a counter-proposal that keeps the compensation threshold at the existing three hours, but suggests a flat compensation of 300 euros for all delays.
