MEP Matteo Ricci (S&D, Italian) is proposing greater price transparency and automatic compensation in the event of extraordinary circumstances, in his draft report on the revision of the Passenger Rights Directive, on Thursday 20 February.
In the explanatory memorandum, he welcomes this proposal to revise the passenger rights framework, “particularly its efforts to close the enforcement gaps and to ensure that passenger rights are upheld in a uniform way across Member States and across transport modes”. He focuses on three key principles: reinforcing passenger rights, harmonising regulations across transport modes and Member States, and enhancing enforcement mechanisms.
With regard to the provisions concerning the rights of persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility (PRM), Mr Ricci believes that mobility equipment is essential, but that replacing it remains difficult and costly. Air transport is the sole transport mode where liability for the damage or loss of such equipment is limited. He wants to introduce full compensation for passengers in the event that mobility equipment, assistive devices or recognised assistance dogs are lost or damaged by an air carrier.
While he welcomes the introduction of clear refund rules, the rapporteur proposes providing “a more efficient mechanism and price transparency”. He believes that when a passenger purchases a ticket through an intermediary, the total cost of the ticket should be clearly indicated, including possible optional services, and should be refunded at no additional cost to the passenger. In addition, the intermediary should be responsible for assisting passengers to obtain tickets and providing alternative solutions in the event of travel disruption.
Finally, in order to “streamline the process and to ensure that passengers’ rights are upheld”, Mr Ricci proposes automatic compensation without any claim to be lodged by the passenger when extraordinary circumstances cannot be invoked by the air carrier for cancellation and long delays.
For its part, the EU Council adopted its negotiating position in December in Brussels (see EUROPE 13539/6).
Read the draft report: https://aeur.eu/f/fnc (Original version in French by Anne Damiani)