Further Dispute Over Reform for Compensation in Case of Flight Delays

On the table are proposals from the EU Commission for a reform of compensation for flight delays from 2013, which foresee a significant increase in the compensation threshold. This currently stands at three hours. With the planned change, a flat-rate payment would generally only be required from a delay of five hours, and for long-haul flights, sometimes only from twelve hours.

Germany with Counterproposal to Reform for Compensation for Flight Delays

There is no majority among the 27 EU member states for this reform of compensation for flight delays. A compromise could therefore look different. According to diplomats, Germany has submitted a counterproposal. According to this, the threshold should remain at three hours, but the compensation should be a flat rate of 300 euros, and thus be lower on average.

Reform for Compensation for Flight Delays: Consumer Advocates Critical

Consumer advocates are critical of the reform plans for compensation for flight delays. "People who suffer tangible disadvantages could be left empty-handed in the future," said André Duderstaedt, the flight passenger rights officer at the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (vzbv), to the AFP news agency on Tuesday. However, if a threshold of three hours continues to prevail, that would be a success.

Transport Ministers Discuss Reform for Compensation for Flight Delays

Poland, which currently holds the presidency in the Council of the 27 EU countries, wants to work out a new compromise proposal for the reform of compensation for flight delays during Wednesday. If a majority is reached among the transport ministers at their meeting in Luxembourg on Thursday, the Council would then have to negotiate with the European Parliament. However, these talks are likely to gain momentum only in the fall.

(APA/Red)

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