EU Commission wants to significantly weaken passenger rights-Diepresse.com
The entitlement to compensation in the event of delays of flights could be raised to five to twelve hours.
According to consumer advocates, passengers affected by delays could be much less likely to compensate in the future. The EU countries are currently advising on a European Commission’s proposal, which, among other things, only provides for compensation for significantly longer delays than before.
According to the 2004 (EC 261) passenger law, passengers from a three -hour delay are currently entitled to a flat -rate compensation between 250 and 600 euros. According to the Commission’s proposal, this threshold is to be raised to five to twelve hours and depend on the flight distance. According to consumer advocates, around 80 percent of the compensation would be eliminated.
Criticism of consumer advocates
The German Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig has clearly spoken out against the discussion of the compensation regulations discussed. « Consumer rights are not a luxury that you can simply abolish in economically challenging times, » said the SPD politician, who is responsible for consumer protection in the federal government. It will therefore work to ensure that air travelers will continue to be compensated from a delay of three hours.
This adaptation would be a serious step backwards, said the co-manager of the European Consumer Center Germany (EVZ), Karolina Wojtal. Most delays in air traffic were between two and four hours. « Airlines could be tempted to delay flights in a targeted manner instead of canceling them to avoid compensation. »
Lobby organization: « If something goes wrong, it takes time »
The European lobbying organization « Airlines for Europe » (A4E) supports a reform with extended time thresholds. « If something goes wrong, it takes time to find a replacement aircraft or a replacement crew, » writes A4E on its own website. With extended threshold values, the airlines would have a good chance of finding a solution that restore the flight schedule and bring passengers to their destination. This would eventually come towards the passengers.
The reform has not yet been decided. It is still unclear to what extent the EU countries will follow the Commission’s proposal or make changes. In addition, a final compromise with the EU Parliament must be found. The result of these negotiations will decide what the final reform looks like. (APA/dpa)
