Philenews 18 March 2020
Guidelines to ensure that passenger rights are implemented in a coherent way throughout the EU, following the effects of the spread of the coronavirus and various national measures, or travel restrictions, issued today by the Commission.
"The purpose of these guidelines is to reassure passengers that their rights are protected," the Commission said.
Specifically, the Commission recalls that if passengers encounter cancellation of their journey they can choose between returning the ticket price or retiring to reach their final destination at a later stage. The guidelines specify that the current conditions are "exceptional", so that certain rights cannot be invoked - such as compensation for cancellation less than two weeks after the departure date.
The guidelines are also expected to help reduce costs for the heavily affected transport sector, but cover passenger rights when traveling by rail, ship or bus / coach, by sea and inland waterway.
Commissioner for Transport Anina Vallean said that in view of the massive cancellations and delays faced by passengers and carriers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission wishes to provide legal certainty about how EU passenger rights will be implemented: "In case of cancellation, the carrier must return or redirect the passengers, and if the passengers themselves decide to cancel their journeys, the return of the ticket depends on its type and the company. can only offer coupons for later use. "
Specifically, the Commission recalls that if passengers encounter cancellation of their journey they can choose between returning the ticket price or retiring to reach their final destination at a later stage. The guidelines specify that the current conditions are "exceptional", so that certain rights cannot be invoked - such as compensation for cancellation less than two weeks after the departure date.
The guidelines are also expected to help reduce costs for the heavily affected transport sector, but cover passenger rights when traveling by rail, ship or bus / coach, by sea and inland waterway.
Commissioner for Transport Anina Vallean said that in view of the massive cancellations and delays faced by passengers and carriers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission wishes to provide legal certainty about how EU passenger rights will be implemented: "In case of cancellation, the carrier must return or redirect the passengers, and if the passengers themselves decide to cancel their journeys, the return of the ticket depends on its type and the company. can only offer coupons for later use. "
"We are continuing to monitor the rapidly evolving situation and, if necessary, further action will be taken," he noted.
Source: Philenews / CYPE
