A compromise that hits passengers. It'll be harder to get compensation for the flight

For a long time, the EU has been talking about amending the existing rules on compensation for delayed and cancelled flights. The agreement adopted on 5 June is simply a blow to passengers who are little likely to be compensated.


To date, the provisions on delayed flights have been very beneficial for passengers. It was adequate that the carrier was 3 hours late for his own responsibility so that the traveller would receive between 200 and 600 euro in damages. Now the money will be less, and the hold will should be much higher.

No more easy money for a delayed flight. EU Council gave impetus

On Thursday 5 June, the Council of the European Union, led by Poland, reached a fresh compromise. It assumes that compensation will be granted for flights delayed by a minimum of 4 hours in the EU or up to 3.5 000 kilometres. In the case of flights longer than 3.5 000 km, carriers will be free to be late for up to 6 hours.

Travelers will besides receive lower compensation in many cases. alternatively of the 3 existing thresholds, there were two. For delayed flights within the EU and up to 3.5 000 km, passengers will receive 300 euro compensation. On longer routes it will be 500 euros. any passengers would so benefit (previously the minimum amount was EUR 250), but most of them would lose (the higher thresholds were EUR 400 and 600).

Interestingly, although the compromise reached (on which work lasted respective months) is unfavourable for passengers, the carriers are dissatisfied with it anyway. Airlines4Europe, consisting of Lufthansa and easyJet, wanted to extend the allowed hold to 5 and 9 hours. specified provisions were proposed by the European Commission. In the end, however, the EU Council had another idea.

The final decision on compensation for flights has not yet been made

The only consolation in the fresh government adopted by the Council of the European Union is that airlines will have 14 days to pay compensation. So far, carriers have been able to deceive injured passengers for months. The downside is that passengers will gotta apply for compensation no later than 6 months after the date of the delay.

In this situation, there is another consolation. Although the compromise was approved by the Council of the European Union, this is not clear from the entry into force of the rules. The European Parliament will now look at the agreement. This will be able to accept, change or reject them. In the end, there is inactive a long way to go to adopt possible fresh provisions.