PASSENGER RIGHTS - REFUND IN 14 DAYS AND FREE COMPANIONS FOR THE DISABLED - WHAT THE EU PARLIAMENT APPROVED - Filenews 21/10
New rules approved by the European Parliament on Tuesday provide for a full refund within 14 days for cancelled flights booked through intermediaries, easier to submit compensation claims and free air travel for essential companions of disabled people.
The plenary session in Strasbourg approved the legislation with 652 votes in favour, two against and eight abstentions. Formal adoption by the Council of the EU is pending, and the implementation of the rules is scheduled to start on 23 October 2027.
According to a statement from the European Parliament, the changes aim to better inform and protect passengers when their journey is disrupted, whether they travel by air, rail, road or sea.
Reimbursement of mediation fees
The new rules clarify the refund process for cancelled flights booked through a travel agency or online platform.
Passengers will be entitled to a full refund, including any brokerage fees, within 14 days.
Airlines will have to refund the money to intermediaries within seven days. The intermediaries will then have another seven days to return the amounts to the passengers.
At the same time, agencies and platforms will be required to inform travellers at the time of booking about the conditions governing the refund.
Common forms for refunds and reimbursements
Common European forms for refund and compensation claims are also envisaged to facilitate their submission.
The forms will be available in all official EU languages via the European Commission's website. Passengers will alternatively be able to use equivalent forms from transport companies.
Free escorts and air transport
Particular emphasis is placed on the protection of people with disabilities and reduced mobility. When the presence of an escort is necessary, the escort will also be able to travel free of charge by air, as is already the case in other modes of transport.
The powers of national authorities supervising the implementation of the legislation are also strengthened. They will be able to carry out preventive checks and inspections, without the need for a prior passenger complaint.
Protection without recourse to justice
The law's rapporteur, Italian Socialists and Democrats MEP Matteo Ricci, said the changes would strengthen the protection of travellers and the compliance of companies, without passengers having to go to court.
"We prioritize the rights of our citizens over the profits of airlines," he said, underlining the enhanced protection of those who buy tickets through intermediaries and people with reduced mobility.
Following formal adoption by the Council, the updated rules will be published in the Official Journal of the EU.
According to European figures, around 13 billion passengers are covered by EU passenger rights legislation. The number is expected to reach 15 billion by 2030 and almost 20 billion by 2050.
Source: CNA
