Brussels, 28/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - MEPs want to put an end to some of the more obscure practices of airlines and call on the Commission to do yet more on air passengers' rights. The European Parliament (EP) transport and tourism committee (TRAN) adopted the report by Keith Taylor (Greens/EFA, UK) on Tuesday 28 February in which it makes a number of proposals that might be taken into consideration by the Commission next year when it reviews the regulation on air passengers' rights (No 261/2004). The key points called for by the rapporteur are guarantees for passengers and their luggage in the event of delay or cancellation, especially when airlines go bust, or “extraordinary circumstances” (such as volcanic eruptions) which the Commission will clarify - points that were particularly welcomed by Christine de Veyrac (EPP, France);and Nathalie Griesbeck (ALDE, France). The report calls for passengers to be kept fully informed and to always have a contact point in each airport, and also for them to be reimbursed for costs incurred for food and drinks and hotel accommodation. Taylor was adamant that passengers should always have three options in the event of disruption: reimbursement, alternative routing or a new reservation. He also calls on the Commission to pay greater attention to the spread of unfair provisions in airlines' contracts and to ensure that the price indicated is indeed the price paid. He said that “online flight sales continue to fall short in terms of delivering transparent pricing”. Artur Zasada (EPP, Poland) pointed out the problem of “the unauthorised collection of fees when making credit card payments”. Griesbeck says that “passengers should have the right to be informed about the transfer of personal data (PNR) by airlines … and should not be denied boarding because of their PNR”. For the Greens, it is crucial that “the report also calls for better information on the environmental performance and impact of air journeys (…) this would help passengers make a more informed choice as regards their travel”, Taylor argued. (MD/transl.rt)