Compensation in the event of delay: EU transport minister vote on new passenger rights

The EU countries’ transport ministers want to vote on a change in European passenger rights on Thursday. The focus of the reform is at which delay, travelers are entitled to compensation. Among other things, the debate is whether this should be the case after three, four or five hours of delay.

According to EU circles, a clear majority has not yet emerged for any of the proposals. In the debate, Germany clearly opposes the four- and five-hour suggestions. For example, Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig (SPD) said that she would work to ensure that air travelers will continue to be compensated for three hours.

So far compensation of up to 600 euros

According to the applicable passenger law regulation, passengers are entitled to compensation from a three -hour delay if the airline is indebted:

250 euros for flights up to 1,500 km 400 euros for flights up to 3,500 km 600 euros for long -haul flights with more than 3,500 km

Airlines argue with faster replacement flights

Previously, the German Lobby Association BDL commissioned a survey under passengers from the Institut YouGov. Under the specification that you can achieve your goal on the same day, 73 percent of the passengers surveyed were ready to receive a claim for compensation only after five hours late. Only 21 percent found the compensation payment after three hours more important. To do this, they accept to reach their goal if necessary only a day or two later. The airlines and their associations argue that they are technically unable to provide a replacement aircraft with a crew within three hours at many destinations in Europe. If in doubt, an additional flight would then be avoided because the high compensation payments have already been incurred. The better period is five hours.

Consumer advocates warn that 80 percent of the passengers concerned would no longer be compensated for five hours.

EU parliamentarians: EU countries intervene too much in passenger rights

“The Member States’ proposal intervenes too deeply into passengers’ passengers’ passengers,” said FDP MEP Jan-Christoph Oetjen. There is already a position in the European Parliament “And I see no reason to adapt this good position again.” The European Parliament is expected to maintain the three-hour specification.

Basically, the parliamentarians have a word in the project and would also have to agree to the new rules. According to information from parliament, however, there is a fear that the EU countries want to apply a procedure, negotiations with the parliament could make it difficult and that had not been applied for eleven years. This could result in new rules faster than usual.

Information on the meeting