The European Union Affairs Committee supports specifying the compensations for flight disruptions

Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Peeter Tali said that the aim of the amendments to the Regulations on air travel was to ensure clearer and simpler regulation, which seeks to strike a balance between protecting the rights of air passengers and the viability of European airlines. “In addition to the changes to the compensation procedure, there are also other changes that will benefit passengers, such as the possibility to correct the name on the ticket free of charge and the obligation for airports to help stranded passengers,” Tali added.

Estonia supports the proposal that compensation for flight disruption would be EUR 300 for flights of up to 3500 km and EUR 500 for flights of 3500 km or more. This would make it much easier to calculate the compensation. In future, the amount will also not depend on whether the flight is within the European Union or not. If Member States wish to increase the compensation to EUR 600 for flights of more than 3500 km, Estonia is ready to support this as well.

According to the approved positions, Estonia supports the right of air passengers to compensation for delays starting from five hours, regardless of the length of the flight. Estonia does not support the proposal that would give passengers the right to compensation only after a delay of more than five hours. As a compromise, Estonia may support the right to compensation for delay starting from three hours. In all situations of flight disruption, we consider it important that carriers ensure that passengers receive adequate and timely assistance, including the provision of information, the organisation of an alternative flight, catering and, if necessary, accommodation.

The proposal provides for a number of provisions in the interest of the passenger which are not regulated or are restricted under current law. For example, in future it will be possible to correct the name on the ticket free of charge. It is also proposed to provide that, if the first flight is cancelled, the passenger can still use the return flight if they wish. Long delay of flights will be treated as cancellation of flight, and the airline should contact the passenger within three hours and quickly find an alternative flight. It is also proposed to give passengers the right to plan their own flights if the airline does not react quickly enough.

Under the proposal, airports with more than five million passengers a year will have to develop contingency plans to ensure that the rights of passengers are protected in the event of mass delays or cancellations, and airports with more than 700 000 passengers will be obliged to make reasonable efforts to ensure the protection of passengers stranded in the airport.

At the sitting of the European Union Affairs Committee, Minister of Infrastructure Kuldar Leis and Director General of the Aviation Department of the Ministry of Climate Taivo Linnamägi gave an overview of the positions of the Government. The Committee decided to approve the Government’s positions in line with the opinions of the Economic Affairs Committee.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
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Link uudisele: The European Union Affairs Committee supports specifying the compensations for flight disruptions

Source: Parliament of Estonia