What Does This New EU Action Mean for Travelers?
This latest
development ensures that airlines must reimburse the full ticket price for
any cancelled flight, not just the base fare. This includes commission fees that are often charged by
third-party intermediaries such as travel agents or booking websites when
passengers purchase tickets. Historically, passengers were only entitled to a
refund for the cost of the ticket itself, leaving many out-of-pocket for the
commissions they paid to agents.
Now, Germany and other EU countries are enforcing this change, meaning airlines operating within the European Union—whether they are European carriers or international ones—will have to comply with these new regulations. Whether you’ve booked through a local travel agency or a global platform like Expedia, you’re now entitled to a full refund if your flight is cancelled by the airline, including any intermediary fees.
Which Airlines Are Affected by This Change?
The new regulation applies to all airlines operating within the EU, regardless of whether they are European or international. This includes major EU airlines like Lufthansa, Air France, Iberia, and British Airways, as well as international carriers such as Qatar Airways, Emirates, and American Airlines, as long as they operate in the EU.
It’s important
to note that the ruling applies not just to EU-based airlines but
also to non-EU airlines that operate flights to and from
EU countries. For example, if you book a flight from Berlin to New York on American Airlines via an intermediary, and that
flight gets cancelled, the airline is now obligated to reimburse
the entire amount you paid, including any commission charged by the booking
platform.
What Does This Mean for Passengers Who Book Through Travel Agencies?
If you’ve booked a flight through a third-party agency—whether online or in person—you might have paid extra fees, known as commission charges, on top of the cost of your flight. Under the old rules, airlines were only required to refund the base ticket price, leaving you responsible for these extra charges. However, the new CJEU ruling ensures that commission fees charged by intermediaries are included in the refund.
This change
means that if your flight is cancelled, the airline cannot
refuse to reimburse you for the commission that the travel agent or booking
platform added to your ticket price. It’s part of the total price you paid, and now, airlines are
required to return it all, regardless of whether they directly collected that
commission.
Why Is This Change Important for Consumers?
For years, passengers have had to deal with the frustrating reality of being under-compensated when their flights were cancelled, especially when booking through intermediaries. This ruling is a significant step forward for consumers, making travel much fairer and more transparent. Here’s why:
§
Full
Reimbursement: Travelers now have the
right to be refunded for every part of the total price, not just the basic
fare. This ensures that airlines cannot cherry-pick which elements of your
ticket they will refund.
§
Easier Access to
Claims: By strengthening passenger rights across the EU,
including in Germany, it’s easier for travelers
to understand and enforce their rights when things go wrong. This provides
much-needed clarity and protection for
those who face cancellations.
§
Airlines Held
Accountable: Airlines can no longer
hide behind their intermediaries to avoid paying consumers back. With this
ruling, they are directly responsible for all refunds, including commissions.
How Does This Affect Travelers Across the EU?
The change is
being enforced across all EU member states, including Germany, France, Spain,
Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands, and will be applied to all affected
flights within the EU. That means, whether you’re traveling from Berlin to Madrid or Amsterdam to London, if your flight
gets cancelled, you will now receive the full refund you are owed.
This EU-wide legislation ensures consistency in how airlines handle cancellations
across the continent. Travelers can now rest assured that they are protected
under the same robust passenger rights framework, regardless of the country
they are flying from or the airline they are flying with.
Latest Data on Air Travel Disruptions & Passenger Refund Rights in the
EU
1. Massive
Real-Time European Flight Disruptions (January 2026)
• In mid-January 2026, more than 3,700 flights were delayed and
400 flights were cancelled across 14 European countries, affecting
thousands of travelers. This disruption spans key markets, including France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, and
the UK.
2. High Cumulative
Delays Across Europe (2015–2025)
• According to data from the International Air Transport
Association (IATA) through October 2025:
§
7.2 million flights
were delayed between 2015 and 2025.
§
Approximately 700,000 flights experienced delays of at least 30 minutes, significantly impacting
operations and leading to EU passenger rights claims.
§
Total delay time
reached over 30.4 million minutes in 2024, more
than double the delay time recorded in 2015.
3. Disruptions in
2025 Still Significant But Lower Cancellation Rates
• While delays persisted, flight cancellations in 2025
were generally lower compared to 2024, indicating some
improvement in airline operations. However, one in every three flights across Europe still
departed late, highlighting ongoing pressure on schedules.
4. Scale of Delays
and Compensation Potential in 2025
• In the first half of 2025, approximately 1.1 percent of all European departures were
disrupted (either delayed or cancelled) under EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.
§
This equated to
around 75,000 disrupted flights out of a total of
about 6.9 million flights.
§
These
disruptions could result in potential €2.2 billion in
compensation claims.
5. Full Refund
Ruling Including Intermediary Commissions
• The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has
ruled that airlines must refund the full amount paid
for a cancelled flight, including commissions/booking fees
charged by travel agencies or online intermediaries.
§
This applies
even when the airline claims it did not know the exact fee amount.
§
The ruling arose
from a case involving a flight purchased through a third-party platform, where
the airline previously only refunded the base fare.
6. Compensation
Rules Under EU Regulation
• EU Regulation 261/2004 continues to serve as the
legal foundation for passenger rights to compensation and assistance.
§
It covers denied boarding, cancellations, and long delays.
§
Compensation can
range from €250 to €600, depending on flight
distance and disruption severity.
These figures
show that air travel disruptions in Europe remain
frequent and significant. The latest legal developments are ensuring
that travelers receive fairer treatment by
guaranteeing that refunds include all charges paid,
including intermediary fees. This enhances the foundation for passengers to
claim full compensation when cancellations occur.
How to Make a Claim: Steps for Passengers
If you find yourself in a situation where your flight
is cancelled, here’s how you can make sure you receive the compensation
and refund you’re entitled to:
§ Check the Airline’s Refund Policy: Start by reviewing the airline’s official refund policy. They are required to
follow the EU regulation.
§
File a Complaint
with the Airline: Submit a
complaint to the airline requesting reimbursement for the full amount
paid, including the intermediary’s commission.
§
Escalate to
National Enforcement Bodies: If the
airline refuses to pay the full refund, you can escalate the issue to the
national enforcement body for air passenger rights in the
country where you booked your flight.
§
Seek Legal
Support: In rare cases, you may need legal advice or
consumer protection services to ensure your rights are upheld.
Looking Ahead: More Protection for Consumers in 2026 and Beyond
As we enter
2026, Germany and other EU nations are continuing to
lead the charge in strengthening passenger protections. Travelers can look
forward to even greater clarity and fairer treatment in
the event of flight disruptions.
This decision
not only benefits travelers by ensuring they receive a full refund but also
sets a precedent for future legal rulings. Consumers are no longer left in the dark when
flights are cancelled, and airlines are held accountable for
the full amount paid for a ticket.
Germany has joined France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, the
Netherlands, and other EU countries in strengthening travelers’ rights, as the
EU takes new action on airline cancellations. This new regulation ensures full
refunds, including intermediary fees, for passengers.
Germany’s
decision to align with France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and
other EU countries in enforcing stronger traveler protections marks a major
victory for passengers across Europe. With full reimbursements now
guaranteed, including commissions paid to intermediaries, the
airline industry is being held to higher standards of accountability. Travelers
can now book flights with greater confidence, knowing their rights are being
upheld—no matter where they fly from or who they book with.
So, whether
you’re flying with Emirates, Qatar Airways, or any EU-based carrier, you can rest
easy knowing that if your flight is cancelled, you’re entitled to a full refund—and that includes the
intermediary fees that were once left out.
Tags: Germany EU countries air travel Airline’s Refund Policy
