Commission welcomes landmark agreement on revised air passenger rights

The European Commission welcomes the political agreement reached by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU on the revision of EU air passenger rights. This landmark agreement marks the first overhaul of these rules in over two decades. It modernises and strengthens EU air passenger rights by clarifying existing provisions and reinforcing legal certainty for travellers, airlines, and enforcement authorities across the Union.

The political agreement includes the following key elements: clearer rules on compensation rights for delays and claims procedures; extraordinary circumstances; fare transparency and hand baggage; scope and passenger information; improved rights for passengers with reduced mobility and disabilities; and a ban on no-show policies for return flights.

Compensation rights, thresholds and claims procedures

The current standard level of protection for air passengers is maintained: passengers can claim compensation after a cancellation or a delay of 3 hours, amounting to €250 for flights of less than 1,500 km, €400 for flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km, and €600 for flights above 3,500 km. This ensures continuity and predictability for both passengers and airlines. The main novelty is that, in the event of a disruption, airlines must proactively inform passengers within 96 hours of their rights and the procedure for claiming compensation. To ensure a more efficient handling of passengers' requests for compensation, procedures are streamlined.

Extraordinary circumstances

Extraordinary circumstances are set out in a list, and the rules on how they are applied have been refined, providing greater clarity and predictability for both passengers and airlines. This will contribute to more consistent interpretation and application of the rules on extraordinary circumstances across Member States.

Fare transparency and hand baggage

The agreement strengthens transparency and comparability of air fares, including for hand baggage charges. Passengers will be better equipped to compare offers across airlines and booking platforms, enabling more informed choices. At the same time, airlines retain the freedom to determine their own pricing structures.

Ban of no-show policy for return flights

No-show policies for return flights are banned. This means that passengers who do not take the outbound journey cannot be denied boarding on the return flight. Airlines may not charge a fee for allowing passengers to board the return flight.

Scope and passenger information

The scope of the Regulation remains unchanged: all flights departing from the European Union are covered, while flights to the EU remain covered when operated by EU carriers. To further enhance transparency, EU airlines can display an ‘EU Passenger Rights' label, informing passengers of the rights applicable to their journey.

Improved rights for passengers with reduced mobility and disabilities

The agreement marks an important step forward in strengthening the rights of passengers with reduced mobility. They will receive improved support during disruptions, and their essential mobility equipment will be better protected.

Next steps

The European Parliament and the Council will now have to formally endorse the political agreement. 

Following adoption and publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, the revised rules will apply after 12 months.

Background

The Commission proposed revising the EU air passenger rights framework in 2013 to clarify existing rules and improve their application for both passengers and airlines. Subsequent case law from the Court of Justice of the European Union further shaped the interpretation of passenger rights, underlining the need for updated and consistent rules across the Union. Today's agreement concludes negotiations conducted under successive Council Presidencies.

For more information

Questions and answers

Proposal for a revision of EU Regulation (EU) No 261/2004

Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, said: "Today's agreement is a major step forward for European passengers and for Europe's aviation sector. It delivers stronger and clearer passenger rights in practice, improves transparency, and brings legal certainty for airlines and authorities. We have found the right balance: preserving Europe’s world-leading passenger protection while creating a fair, predictable and workable framework for the aviation industry. This agreement demonstrates that Europe can deliver practical solutions that benefit citizens and businesses alike. I would like to thank the European Parliament, the Council and the Presidency for their commitment and determination in reaching this agreement."