European Union member states have approved a plan that will allow airlines longer flight delays before they are required to compensate passengers.
Currently, passengers in Europe are entitled to compensation ranging from €250 to €500, depending on flight distance, for delays of three hours or more. Airlines have complained that this regulation is too costly and often forces them to cancel flights due to cascading effects.
On Thursday, a majority of EU countries agreed to change the rules, overcoming objections, particularly from Germany, after several hours of negotiations in Luxembourg.
Under the new system, the compensation threshold will increase to four hours for flights up to 3,500 kilometers (or within the European Union), with the compensation amount set at €300. For longer flights, the right to €500 compensation will apply after a six-hour delay.
The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) has criticized the plan, stating that the “new threshold will prevent most passengers from their right to compensation” as the majority of delays fall between two and four hours. BEUC has urged European lawmakers – who have yet to formally adopt the text – to prioritize passenger rights.
The compromise has not fully satisfied airlines either. Airlines for Europe (A4E), a group representing major carriers like Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, Ryanair, and easyJet, complained that “even more complications have been introduced” compared to the European Commission’s initial proposal.
Polish Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimczak, whose country holds the EU Presidency, stated that “over 30 new rules” have been created for passengers. These include the right to reach their destination via alternative routes as quickly as possible, even on flights operated by other carriers or through alternative modes of transport. The plan also establishes a system for passengers to be automatically compensated for cancelled flights within 14 days and includes the right to assistance—for food and accommodation—when journeys don’t go as planned.
French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot expressed satisfaction with the compromise, stating on X that while “the text could have been more ambitious, it is a step forward towards improving the quality of services offered to passengers.“
