Brussels, 05/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 5 February, the European Parliament attempted to rebalance the scales with regard to airline passenger rights with its adoption of the report by Georges Bach (EPP, Luxembourg), by 580 votes to 41, with 48 abstentions. The EP has enhanced the proposals put forward by the Commission.
In the event of delays lasting longer than three hours (as opposed to five) for intra-European flights (< 3,500 km), Parliament approved compensation of €300 (€400 and €600 for delays of five and seven hours for longer flights). In the event of extended delays, passengers will be able to spend up to five nights in a hotel paid for by airlines (as opposed to 3). Exceptional circumstances can no longer be invoked willy-nilly. MEPs are planning to introduce an exhaustive list of such circumstances, which will include strikes and natural disasters, as opposed to the open list of what are not circumstances out of the airlines' control (established by the European Commission). Travellers who have not used the outward-bound flight will be able to take the return flight. Parliament takes into account delays at departure and not arrivals and has introduced a provision to protect regional airlines in the event of missed connections with technical stops: the right to compensation will only apply to delays of 90 minutes or more in the first segment. In the ultimate event of there being cancellations, airlines will have to do all they can to ensure that the passengers can return home, including using rival airlines or other modes of transport. Emphasis has been placed on passenger information: they will benefit from an appropriate contact point throughout their journeys, obtain information as soon as there have been delays of more than 30 minutes and will be able to obtain an answer to their complaints within two months at the latest. The EP has also made online reservations more transparent. Final prices and the number of suitcases authorised will have to be displayed clearly. To this end, purchases in airports can be taken on board, as well as a coat, umbrella or small additional piece of hand baggage. The EP is planning to set up a fund if airlines go bankrupt, to help passengers. The Commission had not included these latter two subjects. The Council still has to give its position on the question but it is unlikely that there will be an agreement between institutions before the European elections. (MD/transl.fl)