The European Parliament has voted to retain the existing three-hour flight delay threshold for passenger compensation, as part of a wider overhaul of EU air passenger rights.
In a decisive vote on Wednesday, MEPs adopted Parliament’s position on revising EU air passenger rights by 632 votes to 15, with nine abstentions, reaffirming the stance agreed earlier this month by the Parliament’s transport committee.
The reforms centre on changes to EU261, the long-standing framework that governs compensation and assistance for passengers affected by flight delays, cancellations and denied boarding.
The vote sets Parliament on a collision course with the European Council, which represents the EU’s 27 member states. The Council has argued for watering down passenger protections by raising the delay threshold for compensation to between four and six hours and capping payouts at €500.
MEPs rejected that approach, voting instead to preserve the current three-hour threshold, with compensation remaining set between €300 and €600 depending on flight distance.
Beyond delays, Parliament also endorsed a number of passenger-friendly changes. These include allowing travellers to carry both a personal item and a piece of hand luggage on board free of charge, a move welcomed by consumer groups but opposed by airlines that increasingly charge for cabin baggage.
MEPs also strengthened protections for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility, voting to ensure they receive compensation, rerouting and assistance if they miss flights due to inadequate support at airports.
Other measures approved include free seat selection for adults travelling with children under the age of 14, as well as for passengers accompanying individuals with reduced mobility. Airlines would also be required to provide pre-filled compensation and reimbursement forms, aimed at making claims faster and easier for passengers.
The aviation industry has warned that the reforms could have unintended consequences. The airlines’ trade body International Air Transport Association (IATA) has previously criticised changes to EU261, arguing that stronger compensation rules would increase costs for carriers, reduce competition and ultimately push up ticket prices.
Parliament’s adopted position will now be passed to the European Council. If member states do not agree to all of the amendments, the proposals will move into a conciliation phase, during which representatives from Parliament and the Council will attempt to negotiate a final version of the legislation.
The outcome of those talks will determine whether the EU retains one of the world’s most robust air passenger rights regimes, or whether governments succeed in scaling back protections long criticised by airlines but strongly supported by travellers.