Passengers whose flights are cancelled will get a full refund within 14 days, even when they booked through an intermediary, under new rules approved by the European Parliament on Tuesday. The rules also make compensation claims easier and let necessary companions of people with disabilities fly free.
MEPs meeting in Strasbourg passed the legislation by 652 votes to two, with eight abstentions. It still needs formal approval from the Council of the EU, after which it will be published in the EU’s Official Journal. The rules are due to apply from October 23, 2027.
According to a European Parliament announcement, the changes aim to better inform and protect passengers whose journeys are disrupted, whether they travel by air, rail, road or sea.
Refunds
The rules set out how refunds work for cancelled flights booked through a travel agency or online platform. Passengers will be entitled to their full money back, including any intermediary fees, within 14 days.
Airlines will have seven days to refund the intermediary, which will then have a further seven days to pay the passenger. Agencies and platforms will also have to tell travellers about the refund terms when they book.
Claim forms
Common EU forms for refund and compensation claims will be introduced to make claiming easier. They will be available in all official EU languages on the European Commission’s website, and passengers will also be able to use equivalent forms provided by transport companies.
Passengers with disabilities
Where a person with a disability or reduced mobility needs a companion, the companion will be able to fly free of charge, as is already the case on other modes of transport.
The national authorities that enforce the rules will also have stronger powers, including carrying out checks and inspections on their own initiative, without waiting for a passenger to complain.
Rapporteur
The rapporteur, Italian Socialists and Democrats MEP Matteo Ricci, said the changes would strengthen protection for travellers and make companies meet their obligations, without passengers having to go to court.
“We are putting our citizens’ rights ahead of airlines’ profits,” he said, highlighting the stronger protection for people who buy tickets through intermediaries and for passengers with reduced mobility.
About 13 billion passengers are covered by EU passenger rights law, according to EU figures. The number is expected to reach 15 billion by 2030 and almost 20 billion by 2050.
(information from CNA)
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