EU plans to compensate delayed passengers
Cash compensation for delayed or stranded air passengers was due to be approved today – despite warnings from budget airlines that the move could mean an end to bargain-basement fares.
The European Parliament wants punitive sums payable to people “bumped off” flights due to overbooking or cancellations for commercial reasons.
In addition, passengers facing “significant” departure delays will have the legal right to meals, refreshment and hotel accommodation if necessary while they wait.
And performance “scoreboards” on delays, overbooking and lost luggage will be used to “name and shame” the culprit airlines.
Subject to final approval from EU governments, compensation for affected flights of 1,500 kms or less will be set at €250, with €400 for flights between 1500 and 3500 kms, and €600 for longer flights to destinations outside the EU.
For low-cost low-cost operators such as Ryanair and easyJet, the compensation rates could be devastating.
With some budget flights available for just a small amount of euro, they say, it is wrong to offer passengers many times as much if they suffer inconvenience.
Under current EU legislation, there is no legal requirement to compensate for cancelled or delayed scheduled or charter flights.
Under the new rules the compensation for delays will be triggered after two hours for short-haul flights, after three hours for flights between 1500 and 3500 kms, and after four hours for longer flights.
