In a huge blow to Brits, EU countries have green-lighted controversial plans to lengthen the wait time before delayed passengers can claim compensation for both short and long-haul journeys
Customers flying with some big name air operators on short-haul flights have been hit with a brutal four-hour warning over a controversial shakeup.
After 12 years of wrangling, EU countries have green-lighted plans to lengthen the wait time before flyers can lodge claims for delayed flights. Currently, passengers have to be delayed by more than three hours before qualifying for compensation.
However, under the new stipulations – which still have to be negotiated with the European Parliament before they become law – short-haul travellers will only be eligible to claim compensation after being delayed by four hours or more, while those on longer journeys will have to sit tight for a six-hour hold-up before they can lodge a compensation claim.
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It’s not all bad news though, as EU nations have also agreed to increase the amount of compensation for those delayed on short-haul journeys from €250 (approx £210.47) to €300 (£252.56). But, passengers hit with delays on long-haul flights could see their compensation reduce from €600 (£505) to €500 (£420).
The trade body Airlines for Europe (A4E), which represents companies such as Ryanair, easyJet and Lufthansa, and The European Consumer Organisation, the BEUC, both slammed the rules – arguing it would deprive the majority of passengers from being able to claim compensation. This is because most delays are only between two and four hours.
“Europe has been waiting for transparent and workable passenger rights for 12 years and member states have fallen at the final hurdle to deliver,” A4E said. “Member states have diluted the European Commission’s original proposal and introduced even more complexity.”
According to Yorkshire Live, German members of the European People’s Party have also expressed their disapproval, stating that ‘decreasing the rights to compensation for air passengers would be a step in the wrong direction’. “Reimbursement after a three-hour delay has been standard for many years and should remain so,” they added.
A senior EU diplomat is believed to have said that ‘no politician wants to say more than four hours’ at risk of dampening Europeans’ holiday plans. The news comes amidst accusations by 16 consumer protection associations from 12 Member States against seven budget airlines for imposing unfair charges on passengers’ hand luggage.
“The European Court of Justice has made it very clear that hand baggage is an integral part of the basic ticket price. Normally, there is no surcharge on the price as long as the hand luggage is of a reasonable size,” explained Steven Berger, a solicitor with the European Consumers’ Organisation (BEUC).
“All we’re seeing is a proliferation of airlines charging for this baggage… We’re calling for very clear rules. Passengers must be able to take one piece of luggage, a small suitcase or a rucksack.”
He added: “At the moment, there are two different opposing positions among the member states in the Council. On the whole, you have the camp of the member states that are going to defend the three hours to be able to benefit from the right to compensation and others that are going to ask for five hours and nine hours based on distance. So right now this is really the big source of conflict.”
*Prices based on EUR to GBP conversions at the time of writing.
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