Brussels, 10/04/2007 (Agence Europe) - The International Air Carrier Association (IACA) and the European Regions Airline Association (ETA) have welcomed the critical report published on 4 April by the European Commission on airline companies' and member states' compliance with legislation on passenger rights (see EUROPE 9401). Both associations support closer cooperation with the Commission on the application of existing European legislation, but believe that passenger rights should be ensured and respected in all forms of transport and not just air transport.
In a press release, IACA sa ys that the current regulation on passenger rights is “badly drafted” and had led to “confusion for both airlines and passengers”. According to IACA, “The report gives some useful insights into the impact of the regulation and the many grey areas that have arisen since its implementation,” and the association looks forward to “a constructive dialogue” with the Commission and the national enforcement bodies to arrive at a better understanding of airlines' operational environment and the factors contributing to irregularities. “Although steps are now being put in place to improve (the air passengers') situation, we continue to question why airlines are the only form of transport which faces this type of regulation,” stresses IACA.
ERA also calls on the Commission, the Parliament and the Council to give similar treatment to passengers using other forms of transport. “It is inexcusable that, five years after proposing rights for air passengers, no other passengers yet benefit from rights imposed under European law,” says ERA in a press release. (aby)