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's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has promised to avenge the killing of his father, while U.S. President Donald Trump said Tehran and Washingto...
The U.S. Department of Justice has ordered several New York Times journalists to testify before a federal grand jury. ...
At least 44 people have died and more than one million have been stranded due to widespread flooding and landslides across southeastern Bangladesh, au...
The U.S. Department of Justice has ordered several New York Times journalists to testify before a federal grand jury.
At least 44 people have died and more than one million have been stranded due to widespread flooding and landslides across southeastern Bangladesh, authorities said on Saturday (11 July).
More than 100 countries now spend more on servicing debt than on education, UNESCO has warned, as it called on governments and international lenders to expand the use of debt-for-education swaps.
South Africa international midfielder Jayden Adams, who helped Bafana Bafana reach the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time, has died at the age of 25.
At least 12 people have been killed in forest fires in Almeria in southern Spain, Andalucía’s emergency agency has said, as firefighters continue efforts to put out the blaze.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington has agreed to resume talks with Iran after Tehran requested further negotiations, but declared that last month's ceasefire between the two countries was "over".
The U.S. military said on Wednesday it launched fresh strikes on Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to shipping, triggering Iranian attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain in the latest escalation to derail efforts to end the war.
Dozens of flights have been cancelled across East Asia as Super Typhoon Bavi approaches China. The typhoon, which has maximum sustained winds of 162 kph (100mph), is nearing a remote chain of Japanese islands, east of Taiwan on Friday.
What began as a fan-created chant just months ago has become one of the defining images of this year's FIFA World Cup, with Norway's "Viking Row" sweeping through stadiums, city streets and social media.
The U.S. Department of Justice has ordered several New York Times journalists to testify before a federal grand jury.
A Miami-based tycoon wanted in Albania for allegedly laundering drug money is suspected of faking the deeds to land where Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner wants to build a controversial multi-billion dollar resort, the country’s organised crime agency said in case files reviewed by Reuters.
A 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murdering British politician Ann Widdecombe has been released and is no longer part of the investigation, UK police have said.
Russia launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at Ukraine’s capital early on Saturday, injuring at least 10 people, officials said. The attack came as Kyiv faces a shortage of air defence munitions while awaiting fresh supplies to counter Russian strikes.
The remains of 10 victims of the 1995 Srebrenica genocide were carried to the Potočari Memorial Cemetery in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday ahead of their burial during the 31st anniversary commemoration.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment