Brussels, 28/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - In a press release published on Friday 25 June, the Association of European Airlines (AEA) welcomes the fact that the Council hopes to review the legislation on air passengers' rights and, more practically, the legislation concerning compensation to be granted to passengers when boarding is refused (see EUROPE 10165). AEA, however, regrets that the question of compensation, called for by the sector after air traffic was paralysed in mid-April, has not yet been settled. Closure of airspace (due to the presence of volcanic ash) caused losses of over one billion euro for airlines, the secretary general of the association, Ulrich Schulte Strathaus, pointed out. He noted that what they expected from the Council was “clarification of how such claims can be made, and what should reasonably be reimbursed”. The current legislation provides that, in the event of flight cancellation, passengers affected have the right to have their tickets reimbursed unless they were informed sufficiently in advance (EUROPE 9401). The carrier is also under an obligation to provide for passengers in the case of flight delays or cancellation, suggesting alternative flights or reimbursement. In the event of considerable delay, the passenger is also entitled to compensation, which, however, is refused under exceptional and unforeseen circumstances that could not be avoided even if the carrier used all reasonable means to achieve this. Despite complaints by airlines, no request for aid on the part of the sector has yet been addressed to the European Commission. (A.By./transl.jl)