Brussels, 24/11/2008 (Agence Europe) -The BARIN (Board of Airline Representatives in the Netherlands) and the Dutch Consumers' Union (Consumentenbond) reached an agreement in principle, on Monday 24 November, on the creation of a national dispute board for civil aviation, which will arbitrate in conflicts between airlines and their passengers. It is hoped that the board will be up and running by summer 2009, so that it will be available to passengers during the tourist season.
"This will go to show that we in the Netherlands are capable of facing up to the challenges of aviation in a united and constructive way. This solution is extremely beneficial, both to passengers and the aviation sector", said Camiel Eurlings, the Dutch transport Minister (our translation). Effectively, the board will be made up of representatives of airlines and consumer associations and will be part of the "foundation of dispute boards for consumer issues" (Stichting Geschillencommissies voor Consumentenzaken). Its exact makeup has yet to be confirmed by the parties, which is likely to happen over the next few months. However, whenever passengers feel that they have been wronged by airlines or that their rights are not being observed, they will be able to turn to this board, which will look at issues concerning legislation on denied boarding, cancellations or prolonged delays and the rights of people living with a disability or reduced mobility. The board will also be competent to look into the claims of passengers who have bought a ticket from an airline which is included on the blacklist of airlines in Europe. Visiting the Netherlands, the European Commissioner with responsibility for Transport, Antonio Tajani, congratulated the Dutch authorities on for choosing this approach. "Several Member States have already set in place a system allowing passengers to turn to an arbitration body easily", without having to go through a judicial process, "when they are unable to obtain satisfaction from the airline", said the Commissioner, in the speech he made at the presentation of the board scheme. "Voluntary agreements made between the national supervision authorities and with the airlines seem to have improved the situation, but much remains to be done at European level to guarantee passengers (...) the same level of protection", he said, adding that the subject would be discussed by the interested parties at European level at a meeting in Brussels on 2 December. (A.By./trans.fl)