New rules to strengthen passenger protection across all modes of transportation, including provisions for refunds in the event of flight cancellations, easier filing of compensation claims, and improved services for people with disabilities, were approved on Tuesday by the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg, with 652 votes in favor, two against, and eight abstentions.
According to a statement from the European Parliament, the new legislation aims to improve information and protection for passengers in the event of travel disruptions, whether they are traveling by air, by train, by road, or by sea.
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Among other things, the new rules clarify the refund process in the event of flight cancellations for flights booked through travel agencies or online booking platforms. Passengers will be entitled to a full refund, including any intermediary fees, within 14 days.
Specifically, airlines will be required to refund the money to intermediaries within seven days, while the intermediaries will have another seven days to pass the funds on to passengers. At the same time, intermediaries must inform travelers of the applicable refund terms at the time of booking.
The proposal also calls for the introduction of common European forms for submitting refund and compensation claims, which will be available in all official EU languages on the European Commission’s website. Passengers will also be able to use equivalent forms provided by transport companies.
Particular emphasis is placed on the rights of persons with disabilities and reduced mobility, as it is stipulated that, when the presence of an attendant is necessary, that person will be able to travel free of charge on air travel as well, as is already the case with other modes of transportation.
At the same time, the powers of the national authorities responsible for enforcing the legislation are being strengthened, as they will be able to conduct preventive checks and inspections, even without a prior complaint from a passenger.
The rapporteur for the legislation, Italian MEP Matteo Ricci of the Socialists and Democrats, stated that the new rules will strengthen passenger protection and ensure that airlines fulfill their obligations without passengers having to resort to the courts.
“We are prioritizing the rights of our citizens over the profits of airlines,” he said, also noting improved protection for those who purchase tickets through intermediaries and for people with reduced mobility.
The updated rules must still be formally approved by the Council of the EU before being published in the Official Journal of the European Union. They are scheduled to take effect on October 23, 2027.
It should be noted that, according to EU data, approximately 13 billion passengers are covered by European passenger rights legislation, a figure expected to rise to 15 billion by 2030 and nearly 20 billion by 2050.
Source: KYPE
