Air passenger rights

On this webpage, you will find relevant links to legislation, case law and policy documents on air passenger rights. For specific information and advice on your rights as an air passenger and how to claim these rights, please visit 'Your Europe'. 

The single market for air transport in the European Union has greatly benefited passengers: they now enjoy lower fares and a wider choice of carriers and services than in the past. However, measures are needed to protect passengers' interests and ensure that they fully benefit from the single market.

EU law protects air passengers who are denied boarding or whose flight is cancelled or delayed. The EU also provides rights to passengers in case of accidents or loss, destruction or damage to baggage. Persons with disabilities or reduced mobility enjoy specific rights and protection under European passenger rights legislation.

Below, you will find an overview of links relevant to EU legislation on air passenger rights.

Denied boarding, cancellations and delays

EU Regulation 261/2004 establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights

Summary of EU Regulation 261/2004

Interpretative Guidelines of 15 June 2016 on EU Regulation 261/2004

Interpretative Guidelines on EU passenger rights in the context of the developing situation with Covid-19

Information Notice to Air Passengers on relevant EU consumer protection, marketing and data protection law applicable to claim agencies' activities

Proposal for a revision of EU Regulation 261/2004

Accidents and loss, destruction or damage to baggage

Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air (the Montreal Convention) and its rectification Council Decision 2001/539/EC

EU Regulation 889/2002 amending Council Regulation 2027/97 on air carrier liability in the event of accidents.

Interpretative Guidelines of 15 June 2016 on air Council Regulation (EC) No 2027/97 on air carrier liability in the event of accidents as amended by Regulation (EC) No 889/2002

Proposal for a revision of EU Regulation 2027/97

Rights of persons with disabilities or reduced mobility

EU Regulation 1107/2006 concerning the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility when travelling by air

Summary of EU Regulation 1107/2006: Rights of people with reduced mobility

Report on the functioning and effects of Regulation No 1107/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 concerning the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility when travelling by air

Guidelines to improve and facilitate the application of Regulation No 1107/2006 [SWD(2012)171]

Communication COM(2008)510 on the scope of the liability of air carriers and airports in the event of destroyed, damaged or lost mobility equipment of passengers with reduced mobility when travelling air

Evaluation of EU Regulation 1107/2006 [SWD(2021)417]

On many occasions, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has been requested by national courts to clarify certain provisions of Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 on air passenger rights and of the Montreal Convention.

Below, we provide a thematic overview of relevant judgments with regard to air passenger rights. Please note that the case-law included below is not exhaustive, and that only the versions of the judgments published in the ‘Reports of Cases' of the CJEU or the ‘Official Journal of the European Union' are authentic.

Proposal for a revision of EU Regulation 261/2004 and EU Regulation 2027/97

European Court of Auditors’ Special report no 15/2021 on air passenger rights during the COVID-19 pandemic

Commission staff working document [SWD(2014) 156]: Complaint handling and enforcement by Member States of the Air Passenger Rights Regulations

Communication COM(2013)129 final on passenger protection in the event of airlines insolvency

Communication COM(2011)0174 final from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of EU Regulation 261/2004

Communication COM(2007)168 final of the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council pursuant to Article 17 of Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 on the operation and the results of this Regulation establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights

Your Europe - detailed information and advice on your rights as an air passenger and how you can claim them.

Online enquiry form for air passengers to obtain information on how to exercise their rights.

National Enforcement Bodies (NEBs)