Airlines association IATA has warned that planned changes to European air passenger rights could lead to higher travel costs and reduced competition, after the European Parliament this week voted to update regulation.
The EU Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee this week moved to broaden air passenger rights so that every traveller can bring both a personal item (such as a handbag or backpack) and one small piece of hand luggage up to 7 kg on board at no additional cost
Importantly, however, MEPs voted to maintain existing EU261 rules ensuring passengers receive compensation for flights delayed by three hours or more. They also called for airlines to offer pre-filled forms to simplify compensation and reimbursement claims.
According to the draft rules, air carriers would be required to send affected passengers a pre-filled form within 48 hours of a disruption. Travellers would then have one year to file a request for compensation. The current compensation amounts should also be maintained, MEPs agreed, at between €300 and €600 depending on the flight distance.
European MEP Andrey Novakov said: “The rules people rely on today remain the baseline: we are determined to improve them, not dilute them… We are ready to continue the fight for clearer, more predictable rules for airlines and a stronger aviation sector, but never at the expense of passengers.''
The EU Council had previously argued that compensation should apply only after a four to six hour delay – a stance agreed upon by airlines. They also proposed airlines should provide a pre-filled compensation form only after flight cancellation, not after a long delay.
MEPs also voted to ensure travellers with disabilities or reduced mobility receive compensation, rerouting and assistance if they miss flights due to inadequate airport support. They also agreed that seat selection should be free for those accompanying children under 14 or individuals with reduced mobility.
In a joint statement with Airlines for Europe (A4E) and the European Regions Airlines Association (ERA), IATA argued that the proposed changes would impose more financial and operational challenges on airlines since they “do not address the root causes of travel disruption – such as infrastructure and air traffic management constraints”.
The airline groups also cautioned that these reforms could “threaten the affordability of air travel and the choice and competitiveness of transport to, from and across the EU”.
Additionally, they argued that the current three-hour compensation threshold is insufficient for arranging a replacement aircraft and crew. “Raising the threshold to match airlines' operational needs would allow us to get a delayed plane in the air faster,” they said.
Furthermore, IATA, A4E, and ERA criticised the EU’s plans regarding carry-on luggage, calling them “reckless”. They said such proposals were “developed without any analysis of the impact on airline operations, such as limited onboard capacity, the potential to create additional delays, plus heavier flights with more emissions”.
The Parliament’s proposed changes will be put to a final vote (by both the European Parliament and the EU Council) later this month.