The negotiators of the European Parliament and those of the Council of the European Union have reached a provisional agreement on updating the rights of air passengers. Thus, compensation procedures will be simplified and will have clearer rules, while the amount and conditions for granting compensation will be maintained, reports IPN.
During a press conference held in Strasbourg, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, stated that the provisional agreement facilitates the exercise of passenger rights and the request for compensation in case of flight disruptions, maintaining the current threshold of three hours delay and the current level of compensations.
Alexis Vafeades, the Minister of Transport of Cyprus, has characterized the decision as a major success for passengers, the aviation sector, and the EU as a whole. According to him, the agreement introduces clearer obligations regarding the information and assistance provided to travelers.
The European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, asserts that the agreement provides a balance between passenger protection and airline competitiveness, contributing to a more efficient and predictable aviation sector.
The document provides for additional protection measures for passengers with disabilities, as well as greater transparency regarding the cost of air travel. According to the new rules, displayed prices for flights will need to include hand luggage, providing passengers with clearer information right from the moment of booking.
To come into effect, the provisional agreement must be approved by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.
