European Union countries have agreed to maintain the current three-hour threshold for flight delay compensation in the bloc’s upcoming update to air passenger rights, preserving one of the most recognisable protections for travellers.
The decision, confirmed by a senior EU diplomat, also includes new proposals aimed at improving transparency over airline fees, particularly charges for carry-on luggage.
The 27 member states will now submit their position to the European Parliament, which is expected to begin reviewing the package from Monday.
The proposal is part of a broader reform of EU air passenger rights first introduced by the European Commission more than a decade ago. However, negotiations have repeatedly stalled due to deep disagreements between EU institutions and stakeholders.
At the centre of the dispute is how far passenger protections should go, and how much flexibility airlines should be granted to manage costs and competitiveness.
Under current EU rules, in place since 2004, passengers are entitled to compensation ranging from €250 to €600 ($289 to $694) if their flight arrives more than three hours late, depending on the distance travelled.
The European Commission had proposed raising the threshold to four hours, arguing it would ease pressure on airlines. Member states, however, rejected the change and opted to maintain the existing three-hour rule.
Some governments had also pushed for a cap of €500 ($579) on compensation levels, but this was not adopted.
The issue has long divided airlines and consumer protection organisations.
Airlines have argued for greater flexibility, saying stricter compensation rules increase operational costs and reduce competitiveness. Consumer groups, meanwhile, insist that current protections are essential and should not be weakened.
By maintaining the status quo, member states have sided with existing consumer protections.
One of the most notable changes in the member states’ position concerns hand luggage fees.
The proposal would require airlines to include cabin bag fees in the base ticket price, improving transparency and making fares easier to compare. Airlines could still offer discounted fares for passengers who choose not to bring carry-on luggage.
The issue has been controversial across the EU, with consumer groups accusing low-cost carriers of misleading pricing practices by charging extra for basic services.
Member states also agreed to retain several existing protections, including:
The last point follows criticism of practices introduced by some carriers requiring digital-only boarding passes.
The package will now move to the European Parliament, where lawmakers will begin reviewing and potentially amending the proposals.
Further negotiations between the Parliament, member states, and the European Commission are expected before any final legislation is adopted.
Iran will halt its own attacks as long as the United States maintains its pause on strikes, but Tehran remains sceptical of U.S. intentions, a senior ...
Uzbekistan captain Eldor Shomurodov has been shortlisted for the Hyundai Goal of the Tournament award at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with his strike agai...
Firefighters battled on Sunday to contain wildfires threatening the outskirts of Bordeaux, as authorities expanded evacuation orders and warned the bl...
Russian authorities said 11 people, including four children, had been killed by Ukraine in an overnight attack on a holiday camp, accusing Kyiv on Saturday of deliberately targeting civilians.
The U.S. military said it completed a fresh wave of strikes on Iran late on Thursday, marking the 13th consecutive night of American attacks. The latest operation lasted more than two hours, according to U.S. Central Command.
Six candidates vying to become the next United Nations Secretary-General have called for restoring the organisation's credibility, strengthening multilateralism and reforming the UN, during the first public town hall debate ahead of a decisive Security Council vote next week.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 25th of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto recently offered the dismissed Ukraine’s Defence Minister, Mykhailo Federov an adviser role in Italy.
Uzbekistan captain Eldor Shomurodov has been shortlisted for the Hyundai Goal of the Tournament award at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with his strike against DR Congo named among the competition’s 12 best goals. The nomination places the Uzbek forward alongside some of world football’s biggest stars.
Firefighters battled on Sunday to contain wildfires threatening the outskirts of Bordeaux, as authorities expanded evacuation orders and warned the blazes were spreading rapidly during an intense heatwave across southern Europe.
Rescue teams were searching on Sunday for 17 people still missing after a Vietnamese cargo ship sank in the South China Sea, with 45 crew members rescued since the vessel sent out a distress signal the previous evening.
A Romanian F-16 fighter jet pilot shot down a Russian drone over the Black Sea, the defence ministry said on Sunday. It was the latest in a series of airspace breaches by Russia that Romanian President Nicușor Dan called “inadmissible and intolerable.”
More than 16,000 people have been evacuated from their homes to safety in eastern Spain after a fast-moving wildfire in Castellón province spread beyond the capacity of firefighters to contain it.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment