EU member states reached an agreement on Friday regarding the reform of air passenger rights. The reform maintains the current rules on delay compensation. Compensation for delays will be paid starting from a three-hour flight delay.
After lengthy negotiations, the EU countries reached an agreement. The vast majority of member states supported the deal. Only Spain and Latvia voted against it. Austria and Finland remained neutral.
The European Parliament still needs to approve the compromise. The final decision will be made in July. The new rules will come into effect in 2027.
Airlines are not satisfied with the agreement. They believe the reform does not address real issues, such as delays and cancellations.
Currently, passengers can receive compensation of 250 to 600 euros in case of a delay. This depends on the flight duration. The reform maintains this system.
Additionally, changes will be made to the rules regarding hand luggage. Airlines must include the cost of hand luggage in the base ticket price. Passengers can opt out of hand luggage and receive a discount.
The reform also clarifies the rules for extraordinary circumstances. For example, extreme weather conditions may exempt airlines from paying compensation.
Passengers will receive compensation directly. They can also use specialized companies to file claims on their behalf.
The agreement means that passengers' existing rights will remain unchanged. However, budget airline ticket prices may increase.