EU negotiators have reached a compromise agreement following months of difficult negotiations aimed at revising air passenger rights in the European Union. The deal leaves the existing compensation framework for flight delays and cancellations largely unchanged.
The compromise proposal maintains the three-hour delay threshold for passenger compensation, according to information cited by Politico. Compensation remains set at €250 for flights up to 1,500 kilometres and €400 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometres.
Rules are further clarified for flights exceeding 3,500 kilometres. Passengers will be entitled to €300 in compensation when a delay ranges between three and four hours, while the amount will rise to €600 if the delay exceeds four hours or if the flight is cancelled.
The Cypriot presidency of the EU Council confirmed that member-state ambassadors will meet on Friday to review the new proposal, which covers all outstanding issues of the reform. This development follows marathon negotiations with the European Parliament that had failed to produce an agreement during Tuesday’s session.
Mandatory Compensation Information
One of the most significant new elements of the agreement focuses on making it easier for passengers to submit compensation claims. Airlines will be required to send travellers a link to a dedicated compensation claim form within 48 hours of the scheduled arrival time of a delayed or cancelled flight.
Concurrently, carriers must provide passengers with detailed information explaining the reasons for the flight disruption. This includes stating any “extraordinary circumstances” the airline might invoke to exempt itself from paying compensation.
Airlines must send this information via a durable medium, such as email, rather than through mobile application notifications, ensuring that passengers have easier access to the details.
Once a claim is submitted, airlines will have a 30-day deadline to either pay the compensation amount or justify their rejection of the claim. This deadline can be extended for claims submitted in paper format.
New Rules for Cabin Baggage
Negotiators also reached an agreement on another contentious issue regarding airfare price transparency.
Airlines will now be required to display prices that include the cost of carrying standard cabin baggage, rather than only showing the price for a small personal item that fits under the seat. However, passengers will still retain the option to choose a cheaper ticket without a trolley-style cabin bag if they wish.
If member-state ambassadors approve the compromise proposal, the final text must receive endorsement from the conciliation committee—comprising representatives from the European Parliament and member states—by 15 June. The agreement is expected to mark a significant step forward in strengthening rights protection for millions of air passengers in Europe.