Consumer associations report that 85% of passengers may be left without any compensation for the updating European rules for compensation for the delays of the flight.
European aviation passengers will have to face new difficulties in getting compensation for delays. The European Union has started amendments to the regulations since 2004, but the text faces political obstacles.
Civil community and airlines call for a renewal, but do not share the same analysis.
Currently, one can get Loss of 250 to 600 euro for delays equivalent or more equal to 3 hours. But the ongoing negotiations may occur New rules are unfavorable to consumersAccording to Beuc (the European Secretariat of Consumer Trade Unions).
“The Commission has proposed to change the deadline for compensation and it will no longer be three hours. Depending on the distance, it will be five, nine or twelve (twelve). This is “a major setback in relation to the 2004 law”.
Regardless of the nationality of the aircraft, the order applies to any aircraft that leads from the EU airport and the EU airport reaches airports if operated by the EU airport. This is not applicable to aircraft for Europe operated by non -social airlines, or in Europe.
This regulation includes all member states, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.
There is no compensation in the “extraordinary situations,” ie radical weather, restrictions on air traffic control, strikes, including air workers, and political instability.
Beuc criticizes the deadline for implementing passenger rights.
Steven Berger emphasizes that “Right now, the (…) (…) of the table should only be three months to ask for compensation or their rights should be respected if there is a problem with the airline.”
Flexibility protected by airlines
Discussions between member states are based on a plan put forward by the European Commission in 2013. Again, the civil society considers that the text is outdated and does not meet the needs and needs of today’s travelers.
As for airlines, on the other hand, this 10 -year document is a good discussion platform.
The A4E Association (Airlines 4 Euro), representing 70% of European air traffic, said, “The 2013 European Authority’s commitment to the European Authority’s proposal to manage the flexibility to manage more effectively, helps to protect the aircraft and satisfy the passengers as possible.”
According to A4E, “the current law is vague, which creates uncertainty for passengers, airlines and courts.”
Although the compensation for delays and cancellation is in the center of difficulties, consumer associations also indicate the need to review the role of travel intermediaries. These are the comparison of air tickets, balance and procurement sites, but they are not subject to the rules established in the 2004 text.
Poland, who uses the European Union’s half -hearted presidency, has taken the document and wants to advance as much as possible in negotiations until June. During this time, the negotiations are underway at the technical level and have not yet reached the level of political.
