Air transport: EU Parliament calls for more passenger rights (including free carry-on); Negotiations with the Council to begin

Brussels – Common reimbursement, no charge for selecting a seat for children under 12, and small carry-on luggage always free: these are the new air transport rules according to the Transport Commission of the European Parliament, which is ruling on the proposed changes to the regulation on passenger rights, siding with users. By an overwhelming majority (38 yes, two no, and two abstentions), MEPs affirm the right of passengers to be better protected in the event of interruptions, delays, and cancellations, setting themselves in opposition to the Council, which instead winds at airlines.

MEPs propose to introduce common forms for compensation and reimbursement requests and also want to add a provision tasking air carriers with sending passengers the pre-filled form or activating alternative automatic communication channels within 48 hours following a disruption. In addition, to reduce the margin for interpretation as to what constitutes extraordinary circumstances that would allow airlines to deny compensation, the list of cases well-defined in 2014 remains in place. The list exempts carriers in the event of natural disasters, wars, weather conditions, or unforeseen labor disputes (excluding strikes by airline staff).

Furthermore, according to the draft rules, it is up to the intermediaries (travel agencies, internet platforms) to offer all information — clear, precise, and detailed — on all the purchaser’s rights, with reimbursement within 14 days in case of misunderstandings. If an intermediary fails to meet this deadline, it would be up to the air carrier to process the refund within seven days.

The European Parliament started the luggage revolution, with the obligation for airlines to allow the carrying of small hand luggage on board at no extra cost- both the small luggage to stow under the seat in front and the trolley in the overhead compartment. “A right that seemed to be taken for granted, but which in recent years has been increasingly restricted by opaque commercial practices, with hidden surcharges and unclear pricing policies, often only visible after the purchase of the ticket,” denounces Matteo Ricci (PD/S&D), rapporteur of the proposal for a regulation on the implementation of passenger rights. The MEP has no doubts: today’s vote (24 June) “represents a concrete step forward for air passengers’ rights in Europe.”

In a second separate vote (32 yes, one no, and nine abstentions), the Transport Committee reaffirmed the right to protection in the case of missed connections for those who buy tickets for multimodal journeys with at least two different modes (air-air, air-train, air-bus). For those who purchase a combined travel solution from the same operator, in the event of a missed connection leading to delays of at least 60 minutes, the passenger must be offered meals, refreshments, and a hotel stay free of charge, if necessary.

Now, it is up to the plenary. At the July plenary session (7-10), the text should go to a final vote to open the way for inter-institutional negotiations with the EU Council.