Brussels, 07/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - The European Region Airlines Association (ERA) has openly criticised European legislation on airline passenger rights. In a press release published on 3 June, during adoption of legislation by the US transport department in the same domain, ERA was particularly critical of the compensation system included in European legislation in the event of cancelled flights or security reasons. The association explained that such compensation is paid according to a tariff that is around four times the average fare paid by passengers on ERA airlines. ERA said that in the US this amount is limited to twice the average price and is only guaranteed to passengers that have been refused embarkation. ERA is particularly scathing about there being no link between the price of the ticket and the compensation due, which is not mentioned in European legislation. ERA mentioned the example of the recent so-called “volcano crisis” (EUROPE 10121) and underlined that under European legislation, airlines now had to compensate passengers for flights that had been cancelled due to reasons that were outside the control of airline operators. Nonetheless, ERA is not opposed to compensation being paid when passengers are refused the right of embarkation, which is also guaranteed under European regulation. In a press release ERA CEO Mike Ambrose declared that, “Everyone can support rational measures to protect consumers. Unfortunately in Europe we have developed a culture of gross over-protection that unnecessarily increases fares for all air passengers”. The European Commission is also expected to review airline passenger's rights next year. (A.By.)