News: EU passengers to get compensation

Flights > News > # 47 (17/02/2005)

Airline passengers in Europe will be now be able to claim greater amounts of compensation in the event of cancellations, delays and overbookings, with new EU laws coming into effect today. These affect all passengers travelling within the EU, including flights on low-cost carriers, traditional airlines and charter companies. In order to qualify for compensation, the flight must be operated by an airline based in the EU.

The standardised sum given to passengers for a delay or overbooking of a short-haul flights will be €250 (approximately £167), with the figure rising to €600 euros (£414) for long-haul flights. In the event of cancellation, airlines will be obliged to provide passengers with meals and accommodation, and find them alternative transport to their final destination. It is expected that low-cost carriers will be hardest hit by the new rules, since the compensation sums dwarf the price of their average fares. Both the European Low Fares Airline Association (ELFAA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have lodged legal appeals to the European Court of Justice.