EU Passenger Rights Revamp Stumbles Over Delay Threshold and Compensation Debate
Currently, no consensus exists among EU nations regarding the relaxation of traveler privileges in air travel. - Disagreement among European Union nations regarding loosening air traveler protections
The ongoing saga of EU air passenger rights reform faces a roadblock in Luxembourg, as proposals to ease up on compensation requirements have yet to gather majority support.
Up for grabs since 2013, the EU Commission's suggestions include stretching the threshold for compensation, currently sitting at three hours, to a general five-hour delay, with stretchable delays of up to twelve hours for long-haul flights. However, Germany and other countries are pushing back, advocating for maintaining the three-hour threshold and setting a flat compensation of €300.
Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) weighed in, affirming that this stance provides a balanced approach. Current compensation payments fluctuate based on the flight distance, ranging between €250 and €600.
Poland, currently presiding over the Council of EU countries, floated a compromise: thresholds of three, four, or six hours would apply depending on the flight distance. Yet, no consensus was reached on this proposal during Thursday's morning sessions. Negotiations among transport ministers continued, with Poland planning to revisit the issue in the afternoon.
Countries like France, Greece, and Sweden signaled a need for further talks but expressed openness to compromise. Greek Transport Minister Christos Dimas emphasized the necessity to reach a decision on the day, as the reform has been in the works for twelve years.
If EU countries can reach a consensus in Luxembourg, the Council will then engage in negotiations with the European Parliament, potentially starting as early as autumn.
Insights:
The EU passenger rights reform negotiations in Luxembourg have been marked by complexity and contention, particularly concerning changes to compensation thresholds and differing national viewpoints. The reform aims to overhaul and enhance protections, addressing over 30 new or revised provisions to boost service and passenger satisfaction. Germany and Spain have been vocal opponents to the proposed changes, with France displaying support for the compromise. Poland, the current council president, has been championing the compromise but has encountered resistance. Greece, Sweden, Portugal, and Slovenia's stances are less clear, but they may have contributed to the dynamic around the German and Spanish blocking of the proposal. The reform's progress reflects the EU's struggle to strike a balance between enhancing passenger rights and addressing airline and national concerns.
Keywords:
- EU
- Germany
- Weakening
- Spain
- Portugal
- Poland
- Luxembourg
- Airline industry
- Passenger rights
- Compensation
- The EU air passenger rights reform, debated in Luxembourg, particularly focuses on the competition policy regarding compensation requirements, as Germany and other EC countries proposed maintaining the three-hour threshold, while the EU Commission seeks to extend it to five hours for most flights and up to twelve hours for long-haul ones.
- The ongoing negotiations in Luxembourg present a complex picture, with national viewpoints contrasting sharply, especially between Germany and Spain, who are vocal opponents to the proposed changes, and France, which supports the compromise.
- The airline industry, business, politics, and general-news sectors follow the progress of the EU passenger rights reform closely, as the compromise aims to strike a balance between enhancing passenger rights and addressing airline and national concerns, reflecting broader competition policy considerations within the EU.
