Airline passengers in the EU are facing potentially decreased rights for compensation on delayed or cancelled flights, following a controversial agreement by the EU Council. The changes, influenced by airline lobbying, extend the delay thresholds for compensation while also reducing the compensation amounts available. Under the new rules, compensation for delays will only be applicable after a four-hour delay for short flights and six hours for longer ones. This shift could significantly impact passengers’ rights unless the European Parliament intervenes within their four-month response period.
The agreement to extend delay times and cut compensation levels was made at a European Council summit, despite opposition from Germany and Spain.
Under the agreed changes, compensation will only be due after a four-hour delay for flights of less than 3,500 kilometres.
Controversially, the Council bypassed discussions with the European Parliament and made its decision legally binding using a process that has not been deployed in more than a decade.
While the changes alter compensation payments, they do not completely scrap all customer protections, indicating a balance between accommodating airline interests and preserving passenger rights.
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