Passengers who have been affected by flight cancellations, delays, or denied boarding will be able to choose the method of receiving financial compensation. Airlines will not be able to unilaterally impose the provision of compensation in the form of vouchers or credits to user accounts. These provisions are found in a draft resolution prepared by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development, reports IPN.
According to MIDR, passengers will be able to opt for receiving compensation in cash, by bank transfer, money order, or bank check. Airline operators will not be able to impose the granting of compensation without the express, prior, and written consent of the passengers, for any other form of payment of compensation.
At the same time, airlines will not be able to adopt or apply internal regulations and policies that limit the rights of passengers. Therefore, any clause contrary to the provisions of the regulation will be considered illegal.
At the same time, the project also provides for the express granting of compensation for delays of at least three hours upon arrival, a right already recognized in practice, but unclearly regulated. According to MIDR, in the last year, AAC has registered seven petitions regarding compensation for delays. Two decisions were contested, and one of the cases ended up in court.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development mentions that the project was drafted with the aim of aligning national legislation with European standards. The changes do not imply additional expenses from the state budget and do not establish new obligations for air operators, but clarify the application of the existing ones. The decision is expected to come into effect on the date of publication in the Official Gazette, if it is approved by the Government.
