On Monday, the Transport and Tourism Committee adopted its negotiating guidelines on changes to EU air passenger rights by 34 votes in favour and two abstentions. The MEPs are seeking to ensure that passengers are taken care of when they are denied boarding, or their flights are cancelled or delayed.

No stepping back on current rights

Transport Committee MEPs stand firmly behind the current rules and want to maintain air travellers’ rights to be reimbursed or re-routed, and to claim compensation if a flight is delayed by more than three hours or cancelled, or if they are denied boarding.

On conditions for triggering compensation, MEPs disagree with Council’s push to increase the flight delay deadline to four or six hours. They want to keep a three-hour flight delay deadline regardless of distance travelled. The distance would only matter for the total compensation passengers could claim (from 300 to 600 euros), they add. Passengers of cancelled flights or who were denied boarding would enjoy the same compensation.

The MEPs support the introduction of a common form for compensation and reimbursement requests. They also want to task air carriers with sending passengers the pre-filled form, or activating alternative automatic communication channels, within 48 hours of a disruption. Travellers would have one year to file a request for compensation. In cases of denied boarding, travellers would receive immediate compensation.

Closed list of exceptions

The MEPs propose a defined list of exceptions to these rules, such as natural disasters, war, weather conditions or unforeseen labour disputes (excluding strikes by airline staff), that would exempt airlines from paying compensation. This list is in line with relevant judgements of the European Court of Justice and would be kept up to date by the Commission by means of delegated acts.

Hand luggage

The negotiating position includes the right to carry on board for free one personal item, such as a handbag, backpack or laptop, provided it fits under the seat in front, plus one small piece of hand luggage with maximum dimensions of 100 cm (combined length, width and height) and weighing no more than 7 kg.

Check in fees

Transport Committee MEPs want to see an end to check-in fees, both online and at the airport, for correcting passenger name spelling errors or for enabling children under 14 to be seated next to their accompanying passenger. In addition, passengers should have the right to choose between a paper or digital boarding pass.

Next step

The adoption of the negotiating guidelines will allow MEPs to start talks on changes to the EU rules with the Danish Council presidency on 15 October. Negotiators will have three months to reach a deal (with an additional one-month extension possible).