Tengrinews.kz — The European Parliament has approved new EU-wide rules concerning air passenger rights, citing DW.
The new rules were approved by an overwhelming majority of members of the European Parliament.
What will change:
- Free adjacent seats for passengers with children. Parents will now be able to reserve seats next to their children on a plane free of charge. This also applies to people accompanying passengers with reduced mobility.
- Ticket prices without hidden charges. Airlines will be required to display, by default, a price that already includes hand luggage. This should make it easier for consumers to compare prices.
- Correcting mistakes in the name on a ticket will become free of charge.
- Compensation for flight delays will remain in place. If a flight is delayed by more than three hours due to the carrier’s fault, passengers will still be entitled to payments ranging from 250 to 600 euros, depending on the distance of the flight. The same compensation will apply in the event of a flight cancellation if passengers are informed less than 14 days before departure and the airline is at fault.
- Passengers will have nine months to file a compensation claim. After that, the airline must either pay the money within 30 calendar days or provide a written explanation of why compensation is not possible.
- Under the new rules, the airline is not liable if the delay is caused by aggressive passenger behavior, adverse weather conditions, natural disasters, or strikes by airport or ground handling staff.
- Alternative routes. Passengers will have the right to alternative transportation to their destination. This may include a flight to another airport located near the final destination, a flight on a different route, a flight with another airline or a train journey.
- The airline must offer such an alternative option within three hours. If it fails to do so, the passenger has the right to arrange onward travel independently, and the airline must reimburse expenses of up to 400 percent of the original ticket price.
After the rules enter into force, airlines will be given 12 months to implement them. This means they should be fully operational by summer 2027.