Critics raise concerns over EU proposal altering compensation for flight disruptions

Sounding the Alarm: Consumer Watchdogs Warn Against EU Flight Delay Compensation Overhaul

Critics raise concerns over EU proposal altering compensation for flight disruptions

In an alarming development for air travelers, consumer advocates have raised concerns about the potential repercussions of the EU's proposed overhaul of compensation rules for flight delays. André Duderstadt, an expert on flight rights at the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (vzbv), warns that "genuine claimants may be left empty-handed in the future" if the reform moves forward [1].

The EU Commission first proposed changes in 2013, aiming to raise the compensation threshold. Currently, passengers are entitled to reimbursement after experiencing a delay of more than three hours. The proposed changes suggest lowering this threshold to four hours for standard flights and potentially six hours for long-haul trips [2]. Furthermore, airlines may have the freedom to delay flights by up to 12 hours without compensating passengers [3].

These changes have not yet been finalized. During a recent meeting, the 27 EU countries couldn't agree on the reforms. Poland, which currently heads the Council of the 27 states, is spearheading the negotiations, with a fresh round of discussions expected to take place at the meeting of EU transport ministers on Thursday in Luxembourg [1]. Germany has presented a counter-proposal that maintains the current three-hour threshold but offers a flat compensation of 300 euros, averaging lower payouts [1].

vzbv expert Duderstadt supports this counter-proposal, stating that it would ensure continued compensation for the current eligible passengers [1]. Nevertheless, the vzbv continues to advocate for higher compensation, as the future of this matter is still up for debate [1]. Should a majority of the 27 countries agree on Thursday, further talks with the European Parliament await [1].

[1] ntv.de, AFP[2] Airline Ratings[3] Euractiv[4] Which? Travel Rights

1. The current clash among EU countries, particularly during the meeting of EU transport ministers on Thursday in Luxembourg, revolves around the employment policy of the aviation industry, which directly affects the compensation policy for flight delays.
2. As the lifestyle sector (travel included) plays a significant role in the European finance sector, any changes in the employment and compensation policies within the aviation industry could have far-reaching implications, potentially impacting employment policies across various industries.

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