EU Parliament committee backs air passenger rights reform compromise
Quick Look
- The European Parliament's conciliation committee unanimously approved a compromise on air passenger rights reform.
- The deal, also backed by member states, maintains current compensation rules for delays/cancellations and introduces new consumer rights, but faces criticism from airlines over increased costs.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The European Parliament and member states have reached a compromise on reforming air passenger rights. The reform aims to balance airline interests with passenger rights, maintaining current compensation rules while introducing new consumer protections.
BRUSSELS — All the members of the European Parliament sitting on the conciliation committee on the air passenger rights reform confirmed on Monday the compromise reached with countries last week.
The vote in the conciliation committee — a dedicated body created to negotiate a common text between Parliament and the Council — was backed by all 27 MEPs in the committee, the Parliament confirmed in a statement.
The compromise had already been adopted on Friday by member countries, which also supported the text by a broad majority.
The text must next be voted on next month in Parliament’s plenary session. It will enter into force in the second half of 2027.
The reform, aimed at striking a better balance between airlines’ interests and passenger rights, maintains current compensation rules for delayed or canceled flights and introduces new rights for consumers.
“Behind every delay and every cancellation, there are real lives. The three-hour threshold and compensation levels remain,” Andrey Novakov of the European People’s Party, Parliament’s lead negotiator on the reform, said in a statement.
“Parliament was clear from day one: we would modernize the rules, but we would not let passengers pay the price,” said co-negotiator Virginijus Sinkevičius of the Greens.
But the text is frustrating carriers, which argue it will add regulatory burdens and costs.
“There are no winners with this deal,” said Montserrat Barriga, director general of the European Regions Airline Association. According to the lobby, negotiators “rushed a compromise, piling on new obligations that increase costs and complexity without bringing any additional clarity.”
5 things to know about the EU’s air passenger rights reform deal
The new rules on everything from baggage fees to compensation claims, will come into effect in 2027.
EU countries approve compromise on air passenger rights reform
The compromise preserves several key elements of the current framework, including the three-hour delay threshold that grants the right to compensation.
EU nears an air passenger rights reform deal with few fans
Consumer groups, airlines and compensation-claim firms all see problems in the latest compromise on the long-delayed overhaul.
EU negotiators reach compromise on air passenger rights
Travelers would retain the right to compensation of up to €600 when their flights are delayed or canceled.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The reform will enter into force in the second half of 2027.
Very likely · Within years
Open Questions
- How will airlines adapt to increased costs?
- Will consumer uptake of new rights be high?
