Brussels, 06/08/2003 (Agence Europe) - Four EU aviation associations have reacted to the draft regulation on the compensation of air passengers refused boarding or in the event of cancellation or serious delays. In a letter sent to the European institutions last week for the conciliation procedure due to start in October, IATA (International Air Transport Association), ERA (European Regions' Airlines Association), IACA (International Air Carrier Association) and AEA (Association of European Airlines) list their concerns about the details of the legislation.
Monique de Smet, IATA regional director for Europe, says the proposal lacks clarity and in some cases is simply impractical. The current proposal, she explains, would allow a passenger travelling from Tokyo to Frankfurt via Brussels to be reimbursed fro the entire trip and be repatriated simply because the Brussels-Frankfurt leg was late. This type of situation will not be manageable for small airlines and will inevitably lead to conflict between passengers and counter staff, she said. The four associations hope the Conciliation Committee (due to hold its first meeting on 7 October, see EUROPE of 16 July, p.16), will take account of their demands.