Controversial Flight Delay Compensation Reforms Under Discussion Among EU States
EU Member States Disagree on Changes to Flight Delay Compensation Policies - Disagreement over flight delay compensation reform among EU nations
EU Commission initiates plans in 2013, proposing an increase in the delay threshold for compensation, currently at three hours, to a cap of five hours and beyond for long-haul flights. However, there's no unanimous agreement among the 27 member states, leaving room for compromise.
Sources reveal that Germany has posed a counter-proposal citing the maintenance of the three-hour threshold, and introducing a flat compensation fee of 300 euros, on average lowering the potential payout.
Critics amongst consumer advocates, such as André Duderstadt of the Federation of German Consumer Organisations, are adamant that these reforms might leave bona fide passengers in the lurch.
With Poland, the current holder of the Council presidency, working on a new concession by Wednesday, the picture appears far from clear. If a consensus materializes amongst transport ministers at their meeting in Luxembourg on Thursday, further negotiations between the Council and the European Parliament will be initiated. However, these discussions aren't anticipated to pick up until autumn.
- EU
- Compensation
- Travel
- Air Travel
- Compassionate Policy
Additional Insights:
- The proposed changes might lead to fewer passengers qualifying for compensation, as the delay threshold grows.
- Current suggestions indicate a possible reduction in compensation amounts, especially for flights up to 3,500 km (€300 down from €400) and long-haul flights over 3,500 km (€500 down from €600).
- In the ongoing discussions among EU member states, a potential policy-and-legislation change suggests increasing the flight delay compensation threshold, which could result in fewer eligible passengers receiving compensation under the new policy.
- The proposed EU flight delay compensation reforms, if enacted, may also involve adjustments in the compensation amounts, with a possible reduction for flights up to 3,500 km and long-haul flights, politics playing a significant role in the final decision.
