Brussels, 29/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - MEPs want to draw the European Commission's attention to the many grey areas in air passengers' rights, ranging from the definition of exceptional circumstances to correcting a reservation, by way of size of luggage. In plenary session on Thursday 29 March, they adopted the own-initiative report by Keith Taylor (Greens/EFA, UK), which ran the rule over all that needs to be improved for passengers taking planes, and especially for families and people with reduced mobility. The list, set out by MEPs, of measures to be taken is long and it would be good if the Commission used it in soon reviewing the regulation on air passengers' rights (No 261/2004). “Despite some important improvements, air passengers still get a raw deal when flying (…). We now look to the European Commission to act on these recommendations”, said a determined Taylor following the vote (509 votes to 20, with 53 abstentions).
Luggage and online reservations. MEPs called for standardisation of the rules that apply to carry-on luggage. The dimensions should be the same throughout the EU and it should be possible to take onto the plane any shopping purchased in the airport before take-off. They also looked at online reservations, criticising certain practices by companies which add surcharges for a whole range of reasons. Pricing should, then, be more transparent and it should also be possible for reservations to be amended within two hours of being made, and minor errors (such as in the name) at a later time.
Exceptional circumstances. MEPs also call for the notion of exceptional circumstances to be clarified as it is currently understood in different ways between the Commission and the Court of Justice of the EU. The problem was most apparent following the volcanic eruption in 2011 which severely disrupted aviation. Elsewhere, Taylor was insistent that, when an airline goes bust, passengers must not be left stranded. This is a point dear to the heart of Saïd El Khadraoui (S&D, Belgium), who said: “We must avoid any situation where an airline's operating licence is suspended and passengers get stranded in a foreign airport with no one wanting to take responsibility.” Similarly, when flights are delayed or cancelled, passengers have to receive information in the airport from qualified staff, and also by telephone, in their own language.
Reduced mobility and families. MEPs insisted that people with reduced mobility and families must have barrier-free access to air travel. Taylor said that people suffering from disability should have the right to take with them and to use any devices they need, such as oxygen cylinders. Families should be able to benefit from special rates and children should have the right to a seat, and not have to sit on their parents' knees throughout the whole flight.
Carbon footprint. The rapporteur's green sensitivities shine through in the recommendation that passengers be better informed of the environmental impact and performance of their flights. This information, it is suggested, should be printed on the ticket and be clearly visible on the airlines' websites. “Given the enormous environmental impact of flying, this will help passengers make a more informed choice as regards their travel”, Taylor said.
Ball now in Commission's court. The Commission will now in all likelihood take account of the many useful ideas and recommendations contained in this very full own initiative report adopted by the Parliament, according to Artur Zasada (EPP, Poland), who stated: “The European Commission has already announced its consistency with the position of the European Parliament on the majority of the proposals.” Christine de Veyrac, Dominique Vlasto and Michel Danti (EPP, France) said that “the ball is now in the Commission's court. It will now have to come back with ambitious proposals in defence of the rights of our fellow citizens”. (MD/transl.rt)