A4E Statement on reform of EU261 Passenger Rights Regulation

 

Airlines for Europe (A4E) has consistently called for a reform of the EU261 Passenger Rights Regulation. As it stands, the rules are unclear and lack transparency for both passengers and airlines alike. This falls short of the regulation’s original aim which was to incentivise airlines to minimise delays and cancellations and get passengers to their destination as quickly as possible. This is ultimately what passengers value most. 

 

Amongst the provisions A4E has called for:  

 

·       Changes to the time thresholds before compensation is paid- A4E is advocating for an extension of the so-called thresholds before compensation is paid. When things go wrong, it takes time to find a replacement plane or crew. By extending the thresholds, airlines will have a fighting chance of finding a solution that could recover the flight schedule and get passengers to their destination.  

·       Extraordinary Circumstances- A4E has long called for a non-exhaustive list of extraordinary circumstances. This will make it clear for passengers and airlines alike when compensation is due. Currently, a huge amount of resources are lost to lengthy administrative and legal processes caused by the law’s current ambiguity which has, for example, seen the death of a co-pilot not deemed an extraordinary circumstance.1 

 

A4E believes the focus of EU261 must return towards reducing the impact of disruption and facilitating the recovery of flight schedules to benefit passengers directly.  

 

A revision to EU261 will not change the commitment of airlines to passengers and their obligation to provide care and assistance when things go wrong, while they remain focused on getting travellers to their destination as swiftly as possible. 

 

1 https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2023-05/cp230078en.pdf

Tags:  Airlines for Europe (A4E)