Ensuring Optimal Air Travel Conditions for Passengers, Says Minister Sabutis

Ensuring Optimal Air Travel Conditions for Passengers, Says Minister Sabutis

Flight Passenger Rights: A New Era in Europe

In a pivotal move, European Union transport ministers, including Lithuania's Eugenijus Sabutis, gathered at the TTE Council meeting in Luxembourg, delving into plans to enhance air traveler rights. Minister Sabutis raised reservations regarding proposals suggesting an increase in the minimum delay time for compensation and a reduction in the compensation amounts themselves.

"The necessity of revising and clarifying the regulation is understood, but our primary focus remains ensuring a fair treatment for air passengers," Minister of Transport and Communications, Eugenijus Sabutis, expresses his concerns. "We strongly oppose proposals that would raise the delay threshold for compensation and decrease compensation levels, as they may diminish crucial aspects of passenger protection."

Lithuania hails the proposal to overhaul the regulation on air traveler rights, with its objective being to offer greater clarity for both passengers and airlines by precisely defining the nuances of travel disruptions. However, the proposal's cornerstone - extending the delay threshold for compensation eligibility and decreasing compensation amounts - is perceived as a significant retreat in defending passenger rights by the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

The European Commission proposed an update of the regulations in 2013, aiming to address key principles and uncertainties surrounding the existing regulations. Following several years of stagnant negotiations, the Polish Presidency took up this matter as one of their priorities.

The Council's suggested amendments involve compensation for flight delays amounting to €300 for delays surpassing four hours on travels under 3,500 km, and €500 for delays exceeding six hours on journeys beyond 3,500 km. Moreover, in the event of flight cancellations or passenger-requested refunds, airlines would be mandated to supply pre-completed compensation claim forms, eradicating the need for passengers to file separate applications.

The Council's position on the revised regulation, aimed at bolstering air passenger rights, should acknowledge diversions to alternative airports or substantial departure time changes as equivalent to flight cancellations. Additionally, the regulation must ensure minimum comfort standards during tarmac delays, allow passengers to independently choose alternative travel options, establish efficient and timely complaint resolution mechanisms, and fortify provisions for passengers with special needs.

Key Changes to Compensation Delay Thresholds and Amounts

• Increased Delay Threshold: Under the revised plan, compensation eligibility will apply only to flights inside the EU that are delayed by more than four hours (an increase from the current three-hour threshold). Long-haul flights' delay thresholds for compensation are yet to be clarified[5].
• Compensation Amounts: Maximum compensation figures remain at €300 for intra-European flights and higher for medium/long-haul flights. However, the eligibility window has notably shrunk, potentially leading to fewer passengers qualifying for any compensation[5][4].
• Impact on Passenger Rights: Consumer groups like BEUC argue that the new rules diminish several key rights, with most delays (typically between two and four hours) no longer triggering compensation[1][4]. The airline industry is reportedly displeased with the compromise, yet the agreement represents a long-awaited update after over a decade of debates[2].
• Consumer Advocacy View: Advocacy groups criticize the rollback, emphasizing that the changes do not align with the positive messaging from EU ministers. The new framework, while praised for clarity, is seen as weakening enforcement and cutbacks in protection for passengers[1][4].

Summary Table: Compensation Delay Threshold and Amounts

| Flight Type | Old Threshold (Delay) | New Threshold (Delay) | Compensation Amount (EUR) ||-----------------|----------------------|-----------------------|---------------------------|| Intra-EU | ≥3 hours | >4 hours | €300 || Long-Haul | ≥3 hours (varies) | >4 hours (proposed) | Varies (up to €600) |

Next Steps

The Council’s consensus position must now be negotiated with the European Parliament. The Parliament's amendments or approval will ultimately define the final form of the regulation. Until then, the existing EU regulations remain in force, but the proposed changes would significantly undermine protections for air travelers if enacted in their current state[2][3].

1. The European Union's transport ministers, including Lithuania's Eugenijus Sabutis, are opposing proposals that would increase the minimum delay time for compensation and decrease compensation amounts, as they may diminish crucial aspects of passenger protection.
2. The new regulation aiming to bolster air passenger rights includes changes to compensation delay thresholds and amounts, with maximum compensation figures remaining at €300 for intra-European flights and higher for medium/long-haul flights.
3. Consumer groups like BEUC argue that the new rules diminish several key rights, with most delays (typically between two and four hours) no longer triggering compensation.
4. The Council's consensus position on the revised regulation must now be negotiated with the European Parliament, and if enacted in their current state, the proposed changes would significantly undermine protections for air travelers.

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