EU Transport Ministers Reach Controversial Compromise on Passenger Rights
EU transport ministers have finally reached a compromise after lengthy negotiations regarding the adaptation of passenger rights, a topic that has generated significant debate across the region. The newly agreed-upon terms stipulate that passengers will only be eligible for compensation from their airlines after a delay of four hours, an extension from the previous three-hour requirement.
A majority of EU member states supported this proposal during discussions held on Thursday, although Germany, represented by Federal Minister of Transport Patrick Schnieder, stood opposed. Schnieder emphasized that consumer protection was central to their concerns, stating, "We have put consumer protection at the center... Therefore they could not support the final compromise."
This issue has been the subject of intense negotiation, with the Polish Presidency initially suggesting a far more lenient approach. Their proposal suggested that compensation for short-haul passengers would only be triggered after a five-hour delay, while long-haul travelers could be made to wait up to nine hours before qualifying for any compensation.
In response, the German government countered with its own proposal that maintained the three-hour rule but introduced a flat-rate compensation of 300 euros, which would standardize payments regardless of flight distance where passengers previously received varying amounts—250 euros for short-haul flights, 400 euros for medium-haul, and 600 euros for long-haul.
However, Germany's initiative failed to gain the necessary majority in the council. The newly established compromise now dictates that the four-hour delay threshold applies for distances up to 3,500 kilometers, offering a payment of 300 euros. For longer flights, airlines must compensate passengers for delays exceeding six hours, amounting to 500 euros.
This compromise has raised serious concerns among consumer organizations and rights advocates. Jan-Frederik Arnold, head of the flight rights portal Flightright, sharply criticized the resolution, asserting, "This is not a reform; this is a targeted massive rollback of passenger rights." Arnold contends that if this proposed revision goes into effect, as much as 60 percent of current compensation cases could disappear without replacement, significantly diminishing passenger rights.
The speed at which the proposal was advanced has also drawn attention, as many believe that political pressure has compromised essential consumer protections. Arnold is calling on the European Parliament to reject the proposal, echoing concerns shared by various stakeholders.
Federal Minister Schnieder expressed hope that further trilogue negotiations among the Commission, Parliament, and Council could yield better outcomes for consumer protection. Notably, the European Parliament has developed a common stance, largely supportive of the German government's position, indicating a likely advocacy for maintaining the original three-hour compensation rule. CDU MEP Jens Gieseke encapsulated this sentiment, insisting, "As Parliament, we will not accept any deterioration of the status quo."
As the future of passenger rights in Europe hangs in the balance, the upcoming decisions made by the European Parliament will be crucial in determining the fate of these regulations, ultimately impacting millions of travelers across the continent.
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