At a time when the current method of reimbursement for air passengers at a European level is being called into question by the COVID-19 pandemic (see EUROPE 12458/10), the German government intends to call on the EU to show flexibility in this area.
It invited the competent national bodies to contact the European Commission to ask it to set up, as a matter of urgency, a “voucher system” that airlines could use, in the short term, to compensate their customers who have incurred damages: in other words, those whose flights which were booked before 8 March and then cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"A letter must be sent to the Commission on behalf of the federal government, calling on it to act without delay and to ensure uniformity of European regulations”, it said in a statement.
The EU regulation on air passenger rights (261/2004) states that a cancelled flight must be refunded in cash within 7 days and that this can only be replaced by a voucher with the consent of the passenger.
This is a regulation that the European Commissioner in charge of Transport, Adina Vălean, has invited Member States to adhere to (see EUROPE 12459/7).
Furthermore, the European Commission has indicated that it is working to find a solution that will both protect consumers as well as supporting airlines that are now facing cash flow problems as they are forced to cancel the majority of their flights.
Possible deferral of payments. One solution to the cash shortfall of these companies—who will generate little or no revenue in the coming months—would be to temporarily defer the en-route ATC charges they are required to pay monthly. The total of these for April, for example, is EUR 1.13 billion.
A proposal by Eurocontrol to postpone the charges due for the months of February to May 2020 is currently being considered. A decision on this point is expected to be made on Monday 6 April. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)