Brussels, 19/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission sets out in a communication published on Monday 19 December the 10 rights to which passengers can lay claim, and will make sure they are properly implemented. Hard on the heels of the communication, the Commission opened a public consultation on how air passengers' rights are being applied, with a view to possible revision of the directive.
Europe is the only region in the world where the rights of all passengers in all forms of transport are protected. This is a considerable achievement which should encourage European citizens to look more to public and multi-modal transport and so fall into line with the European strategy for more sustainable transport. Firstly, however, passengers need to be aware of their rights and these rights have to be applied properly and uniformly across the EU.
In order to put an end to any possible confusion, the Commission has adopted a communication which sets out the rights and responsibilities for the various parties. Carriers have to apply European laws more effectively, and national authorities have to make sure that laws protecting passengers in all forms of transport are applied in a harmonised manner. Passengers have, above all, to be informed of their rights and made aware that they can expect a certain minimum standard of service. For the first time, the communication draws together the various rights to be found in different pieces of legislation into a list of 10 basic rights, applicable to all forms of travel. These 10 rights include the right to mobility for the handicapped, access to transport without discrimination and to information at every point of the journey, from purchase of the ticket to arrival, particularly in the event of disruption. There is also the right to cancel one's journey if it does not correspond to what was initially reserved or to be offered an alternative itinerary in the event of disruption. There are also rights to compensation and reimbursement, and to assistance, if needed, in the event of disruption. Furthermore, the carrier is responsible for passengers and their luggage. Finally passengers have the right to a swift and accessible system of complaints handling. This Commission initiative chimes with the inter-modal approach to transport, rather than separate, individual modes. (MD/transl.rt)